COVID-19 may cause disruptions in the electrical activity of the frontal lobes in the brain.
COVID-19's effects on the brain have been under investigation, shedding light on the possibility of neurological symptoms amongst patients. In a review of research, abnormalities identified by electroencephalography (EEG) tests have been found in a significant number of patients experiencing neurological symptoms with COVID-19.
All statistics are based on publicly available data, which may be outdated. For the latest information on COVID-19, visit our coronavirus hub.
It is estimated that around 15-25% of patients with severe COVID-19 may experience neurological symptoms such as headaches, confusion, seizures, strokes, etc. Doctors may refer these patients for an EEG test, which involves placing electrodes on the scalp to monitor brain electrical activity.
Researchers from Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh analyzed EEG results from 617 patients, reported in 84 different studies. The most common findings were slowing of brain waves and abnormal electrical discharges. The extent of these EEG abnormalities positively correlated with disease severity and pre-existing neurological conditions.
One-third of the abnormal findings were in the frontal lobes of the brain. Dr. Zulfi Haneef, an assistant professor of neurology/neurophysiology at Baylor, suggests that this might be due to the virus entering the brain via the nose, which is located near the frontal lobes.
However, the virus may not be directly responsible for all the damage. Systemic effects of the infection, such as inflammation, low oxygen levels, unusual blood thickness, and cardiac arrest, may contribute to EEG abnormalities that extend beyond the frontal lobes.
A recent 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 had contracted the virus. This study raises concerns about long-term cognitive decline, adding to the concerns about persistent neurological issues.
On a positive note, 56.8% of patients showing follow-up EEG tests showed improvements. However, the analysis had several limitations, such as lack of access to raw data, potential omission of normal EEGs, and use of anti-seizure medications that might have obscured signs of seizures.
The search results do not provide specific information on the prevalence of EEG abnormalities or how they correlate with disease severity and pre-existing neurological conditions. Studies have shown that neurological manifestations can be diverse and include encephalopathy, seizures, etc.
For more advice on COVID-19 prevention and treatment, visit our coronavirus hub.
- The coronavirus, specifically COVID-19, has been linked to neurological symptoms in a significant number of patients, with abnormalities discovered via EEG tests.
- Research indicates that around 15-25% of patients with severe COVID-19 may experience such neurological symptoms, which could includeheadaches, confusion, seizures, strokes, and more.
- A review of research found that the most common EEG findings in COVID-19 patients were slowing of brain waves and abnormal electrical discharges, with one-third of these abnormalities located in the frontal lobes of the brain.
- Dr. Zulfi Haneef, an assistant professor of neurology/neurophysiology at Baylor, suggests that the virus entering the brain via the nose, located near the frontal lobes, may be responsible for some of the damage observed.
- However, systemic effects of the infection, such as inflammation, low oxygen levels, unusual blood thickness, and cardiac arrest, may also contribute to EEG abnormalities that extend beyond the frontal lobes.
