COVID-19 Influence Can Alter Electrical Functions in the Frontal Lobes of the Brain
Revised Review: COVID-19 and Brain Abnormalities – A Deep Dive into the Data
Hey there! Let's delve into some fascinating research about how COVID-19 might be affecting our noggin. Now, keep in mind this review is based on published data, but things change rapidly in this pandemic world, so it's always wise to stay updated on the latest info.
Based on numerous studies, it seems that around 15-25% of patients with severe COVID-19 might experience neurological symptoms, such as headaches, confusion, seizures, and strokes. When dealing with such issues, doctors may refer patients for an EEG (Electroencephalography) test to monitor the electrical activity of the brain.
Recent research from Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh examined EEG results from 617 patients. They discovered that abnormalities were most commonly found in the frontal lobes, leading to speculation that this could be where the virus first takes root.
Dr. Zulfi Haneef, one of the study's co-authors and an assistant professor of neurology/neurophysiology at Baylor, explains, "We know 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's located directly next to that entry point."
The researchers found that the severity of the EEG abnormalities and whether the patients had preexisting neurological conditions, such as epilepsy, positively correlated with the severity of the disease. They also found "diffuse slowing" in the background electrical activity of the whole brain in almost 70% of patients.
Now, it's essential to note that the virus may not be solely responsible for all the damage. Systemic effects of the infection, such as inflammation, low oxygen levels, and cardiac arrest, may also play a role in EEG abnormalities that extend beyond the frontal lobes.
Some people who have recovered from COVID-19 report ongoing health problems, often labeled "long COVID." Among these issues is "brain fog." A recent, although yet unpublished, study found that individuals who claim to have had COVID-19 performed less well on an online cognitive test than those who did not believe they contracted the virus.
This finding adds to concerns about long-term effects on the brain, and experts contacted by the Science Media Centre in London note that the study does not definitively prove that the infection caused long-term cognitive decline. However, it does highlight these concerns.
Dr. Haneef agrees, "A lot of people think they will get the illness, get well, and everything will go back to normal, but 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."
On a positive note, the authors report that roughly 56.8% of those who had follow-up EEG tests showed improvements. However, follow-up studies with access to more data and better control groups are needed to better understand the relationship between COVID-19 and brain abnormalities.
- Some neurological symptoms associated with COVID-19 include headaches, confusion, seizures, and strokes.
- Doctors may use Electroencephalography (EEG) tests to monitor the electrical activity of the brain in patients with these symptoms.
- In a study at Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh, EEG abnormalities were most commonly found in the frontal lobes of patients with severe COVID-19.
- The severity of EEG abnormalities in COVID-19 patients may correlate with the severity of the disease and pre-existing neurological conditions such as epilepsy.
- A recent study found that individuals who report having recovered from COVID-19 may have ongoing health issues, including cognitive decline or "brain fog."
- Dr. Zulfi Haneef, a co-author of the EEG study and an assistant professor of neurology/neurophysiology at Baylor, notes that these findings suggest long-term issues may persist after recovery from COVID-19, although further research is needed.
