Brain's Frontal Lobes Electrical Activity Affected by COVID-19
Brain Waves and COVID-19
Let's delve into a intriguing area of research: the impact of COVID-19 on our brains. Recent studies suggest that about 15-25% of severe COVID-19 patients may exhibit neurological symptoms, including headaches, confusion, and seizures.
To better understand how COVID-19 affects the brain, researchers from Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh analyzed EEG results from 617 patients. The majority of patients were males aged 61.3 years, and more than one-third of the detected abnormalities were found in the frontal lobes of the brain.
According to Dr. Zulfi Haneef, an assistant professor of neurology/neurophysiology at Baylor, "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." He further emphasized the need for EEG tests and other brain imaging techniques to get a closer look at the frontal lobe.
Alarmingly, the virus may not be solely responsible for the brain damage as systemic effects such as inflammation, low oxygen levels, and unusual blood characteristics may contribute to the EEG abnormalities beyond the frontal lobes.
Another concerning aspect is "brain fog," a symptom reported by some individuals who have recovered from COVID-19. Known as long COVID, this cognitive decline represents one of the long-term health issues that these findings suggest could be a potential outcome of the infection.
However, there's some good news: about 56.8% of those who had follow-up EEG tests showed improvements, indicating that brain function may recover over time.
These findings add to concerns about long-term effects on the brain, as Dr. Haneef notes, "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."
Here's a breakdown of the EEG findings in COVID-19 patients:
- EEG abnormalities, often exhibiting as slowing of brain waves and abnormal electrical discharges, are common in COVID-19 patients with neurological symptoms. However, the exact percentage varies across studies.
- Abnormalities in EEG records have been linked to both the severity of the disease and pre-existing neurological conditions, such as epilepsy.
- Investigations on the aged cognitive effect of COVID-19 are still underway, with ongoing research pointing towards possible long-term cognitive decline.
Stay informed and keep your brain sharp. For more advice on COVID-19 prevention and treatment, visit our coronavirus hub.
- The coronavirus has been linked to neurological symptoms in 15-25% of severe cases, including headaches, confusion, and seizures.
- To study the impact of COVID-19 on the brain, researchers analyzed EEG results from 617 patients, finding more than one-third of detected abnormalities in the frontal lobes.
- Dr. Zulfi Haneef suggests that the virus may enter the brain via the nose, and EEG tests are crucial for understanding the frontal lobe's impact.
- Beyond frontal lobe abnormalities, systemic effects such as inflammation, low oxygen levels, and unusual blood characteristics may also contribute to EEG abnormalities.
- 'Brain fog,' or cognitive decline, is a concerning symptom reported by some COVID-19 survivors, representing a potential long-term health issue.
- Encouragingly, about 56.8% of patients with follow-up EEG tests showed improvements, suggesting possible recovery of brain function over time.
- The coronavirus may have long-term effects on the brain, sparking concerns about cognitive decline, particularly in the aging population.
- Furthermore, COVID-19 research continues to focus on its impact on mental health, nutrition, fitness and exercise, sleep, and neurological disorders.
- For comprehensive information on COVID-19 prevention and treatment, visit our coronavirus hub, which covers topics such as cbd, space and astronomy, health and wellness, and more.