COVID-19 Infections May Impact Electrical Functioning in Frontal Regions of the Brain
A recent review of research indicates that abnormalities in the frontal lobe of the brain, as detected by electroencephalography (EEG) tests, are common among patients experiencing neurological symptoms related to COVID-19.
Approximately 15-25% of patients with severe COVID-19 may encounter neurological symptoms, such as headaches, confusion, seizures, and strokes. Doctors may recommend EEG tests for patients with such symptoms to monitor brain activity.
Investigating how COVID-19 affects the brain, a team of researchers analyzed EEG results from 617 patients, reported in 84 different studies. The study found that around a third of the abnormal findings were in the frontal lobes of the brain.
"The most likely entry point for the virus is the nose, so there seems to be a connection between the part of the brain that is located directly next to that entry point," says Dr. Zulfi Haneef, assistant professor of neurology/neurophysiology at Baylor College of Medicine.
The review highlights the need for broader use of EEG tests, as well as other imaging techniques like MRI or CT scans, to analyze the frontal lobe in more detail. However, the virus may not be solely responsible for all the damage observed, as factors such as inflammation, low oxygen levels, and cardiac arrest may also contribute to EEG abnormalities.
Around 70% of patients showed "diffuse slowing" in the background electrical activity of the whole brain. This finding, alongside the suspected long-term issues, raises concerns about lasting effects on the brain, a phenomenon referred to as "brain fog" by some who have recovered from COVID-19.
A recent study, though not yet peer-reviewed, suggests that individuals who claim to have had COVID-19 may experience cognitive decline, comparable to aging by around a decade. Experts caution that this study does not definitively prove that the infection causes long-term cognitive decline but does raise concerns about the lasting impact on the brain.
Dr. Haneef notes that the EEG abnormalities associated with COVID-19 neurological symptoms reinforce these concerns. He emphasizes that people should be aware of possible long-term health implications, even after recovery. On a positive note, the study indicated that almost 57% of patients showed improvements in their EEG testing results with follow-ups.
"Coronavirus and COVID-19 have been linked to an increased prevalence of neurological symptoms, such as seizures, in some patients. A recent study found that approximately 70% of these patients showed 'diffuse slowing' in the background electrical activity of their brains as detected by EEG tests. This finding raises concerns about potential long-term effects on brain health, a phenomenon referred to as 'brain fog.' Research investigating the impact of the virus on the brain has revealed abnormalities in the frontal lobe, one of the key medical-conditions and neurological-disorders being monitored in the health-and-wellness community."
