Brain's Frontal Lobes' Electrical Activity May Be Affected by COVID-19
Covid-19 and the Mind: What the Brain Scans Tell Us
There's growing evidence that Covid-19 can wreak havoc on the brain, causing everything from headaches to seizures. Here's what the research shows so far.
Covid-19 can leave behind some puzzling symptoms, such as brain fog, trouble concentrating, and memory loss, even after recovery. This has led researchers to investigate the impact of the virus on the brain.
A review of studies by experts from Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh analyzed EEG (electroencephalography) results from 617 patients with Covid-19. The study, published in the journal Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy, found that the virus can cause significant changes in brain activity, particularly in the frontal lobes.
Approximately 15-25% of patients with severe Covid-19 may experience neurological symptoms, such as headaches, confusion, and seizures. Doctors often refer patients with these symptoms for an EEG test, which measures the electrical activity of the brain.
To better understand the impact of Covid-19 on the brain, the researchers examined EEG results from 617 patients reported in 84 different studies. The most common findings were slowing of brain waves and abnormal electrical discharges.
Remarkably, the extent of these EEG abnormalities correlated with the severity of the disease and whether the patients had preexisting neurological conditions. The virus seems to have a particular affinity for the frontal lobes, which are located next to the nasal cavity, making it the most likely entry point for the virus.
However, the virus may not be solely responsible for the damage. Systemic effects of the infection, such as inflammation, low oxygen levels, strangely sticky blood, and cardiac arrest, may also play a role in the EEG abnormalities that extend beyond the frontal lobes.
The study found "diffuse slowing" in the electrical activity of the entire brain in nearly 70% of patients. These findings add to concerns about long-term issues in Covid-19 patients, particularly in relation to neurological symptoms.
While the study has some limitations, such as lack of access to individual study data, the findings suggest that Covid-19 can lead to significant changes in brain activity, and that EEG tests could be a valuable tool for monitoring neurological complications in Covid-19 patients.
So, if you're experiencing brain fog or other cognitive issues after Covid-19, don't dismissed it. It might be worth talking to your doctor about an EEG test to get a better understanding of what's going on in your brain.
Sources:
- Baylor College of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh study: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seizure.2021.02.004
- Covid-19 neurological symptoms: https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/symptoms
- EEG tests: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562906/
- The research suggests that Covid-19 can cause various neurological symptoms such as seizures, due to significant changes in brain activity, particularly in the frontal lobes.
- It's alarming that the extent of EEG abnormalities in Covid-19 patients often correlates with the severity of the disease and pre-existing neurological conditions.
- While epilepsy seizures are one potential neurological outcome of Covid-19, the study also found "diffuse slowing" in the electrical activity of the entire brain in nearly 70% of patients, raising concerns about long-term mental-health and neurological-disorders issues.
- In addition to investigating the impact of Covid-19 on the brain, it's crucial to consider other systemic effects of the infection, such as inflammation, low oxygen levels, and cardiac arrest, which may also contribute to EEG abnormalities in areas beyond the frontal lobes.
