COVID-19 and Electroencephalography (EEG) Abnormalities: What We Know So Far
Brain's Frontal Lobes Electrical Activity Potentially Affected by COVID-19
Numerous studies suggest that neurological symptoms including headaches, confusion, seizures, and strokes are present in about 15-25% of patients with severe COVID-19. To investigate the brain's response to this virus, researchers analyzed EEG results from 617 patients, discovered in 84 different studies.
Among the findings, around a third of the abnormalities were in the frontal lobes of the brain, which doctors believe could be connected to the virus's primary entry point – the nose. This raises the need for broader EEG use and other brain imaging techniques to gather more insights about the frontal lobe.
However, it's important to note that the virus may not be responsible for all the damage observed. Systemic effects of the infection, such as inflammation, low oxygen levels, unusually "sticky" blood, and cardiac arrest, could play a role in EEG abnormalities that extend beyond the frontal lobes.
The study identified "diffuse slowing" in the background electrical activity of the whole brain in almost 70% of patients, suggesting cognitive issues that might persist even after recovery. This finding supports concerns about long-term effects on the brain among recovered COVID patients.
Alarmingly, a preliminary study found that individuals who claim to have had COVID performed less well on an online cognitive test than those who didn't believe they were infected, suggesting cognitive aging by around a decade. While this study has limitations, it highlights the need for more research on COVID-19's lasting impact on brain health.
"These findings tell us that there might be long-term issues, which is something we have suspected, and now we are finding more evidence to back that up," says Dr. Zulfi Haneef, co-author of the EEG study. Over half of the patients who underwent follow-up EEG tests showed improvements, which offers some hope for patients experiencing neurological complications from COVID-19.
In conclusion, while more research is needed to fully understand the relationship between COVID-19 and EEG abnormalities, existing data suggests that the virus can have far-reaching neurological consequences. As researchers continue to gather evidence, it's essential for individuals to stay informed about its potential lasting effects on mental health.
- Epilepsy and seizures have been observed as one of the neurological symptoms in 15-25% of patients with severe COVID-19, highlighting the importance of monitoring medical conditions like these in the context of health and wellness.
- The coronavirus, COVID-19, may not be solely responsible for all the damage observed in EEG tests, as systemic effects of the infection, such as inflammation, low oxygen levels, and altered blood properties, could contribute to EEG abnormalities beyond the frontal lobes.
- Among the findings from the study on EEG abnormalities in COVID-19 patients, 'diffuse slowing' in the background electrical activity of the whole brain was identified in almost 70% of patients, implying potential long-term neurological disorders and mental health implications.
- A preliminary study revealed that individuals who self-reported having had COVID-19 performed less well on an online cognitive test than those without such a history, raising concern about the virus's long-term impact on not only the brain but also potential mental health issues.
