Disorder in frontal lobe electrical activity associated with COVID-19 infection in the brain
Neurological symptoms, such as headaches, delirium, and seizures, are prevalent among individuals with severe COVID-19, according to a review of research. This review, published in the journal "Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy," analyzed EEG results from over 600 patients to examine the effects of COVID-19 on the brain.
Approximately 15-25% of patients with severe COVID-19 may experience such neurological symptoms. EEG tests, involving the placement of electrodes on the scalp to monitor brain electrical activity, are used to investigate these symptoms.
The researchers identified common findings, including slowing of brain waves and abnormal electrical discharges. The extent of these EEG abnormalities correlated positively with the severity of the disease and the presence of preexisting neurological conditions, such as epilepsy.
The frontal lobes, located directly next to the virus's likely entry point in the nose, were particularly affected, accounting for around a third of the abnormal findings. Dr. Zulfi Haneef, one of the study's co-authors, suggests that the virus's impact on the frontal lobe necessitates further investigation through EEGs and other brain imaging techniques.
However, it's important to note that the virus may not be directly responsible for all the observed damage. Systemic effects of the infection, such as inflammation, low oxygen levels, unusual blood properties, and cardiac arrest, may contribute to EEG abnormalities beyond the frontal lobes.
Some recovered COVID-19 patients report ongoing health problems, including "brain fog." A recent study linked COVID-19 infection to cognitive decline, raising concerns about lasting brain effects. Dr. Haneef's research supports these concerns, as EEG abnormalities can indicate neurological symptoms of COVID-19 infection.
Despite these concerns, the authors report that over half of the patients with follow-up EEG tests showed improvement. However, their analysis had limitations, including a lack of raw data from individual studies, potential omissions of normal EEGs, and use of anti-seizure medications that may have obscured signs of seizures.
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- Severe COVID-19 patients Might Experience neurological symptoms like epilepsy seizures, headaches, and delirium, according to recent scientific research.
- The correlation between COVID-19 severity and neurological disorders such as epilepsy was highlighted in a review of research published in the journal "Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy."
- EEG tests, a medical tool for monitoring brain electrical activity by placing electrodes on the scalp, are instrumental in investigating these neurological symptoms associated with COVID-19.
- COVID-19 may have a lasting effect on mental health and wellness, with some recovered patients reporting ongoing issues like brain fog, which could indicate neurological disorders like epilepsy or other neurological conditions.
