Brain's Frontal Lobes Electrical Activity Affected by COVID-19
Studies indicate that abnormalities in the frontal regions of the brain, as revealed by electroencephalography (EEG) tests, are common among COVID-19 patients presenting neurological symptoms.
According to estimates, approximately 15-25% of patients with severe COVID-19 could suffer from neurological symptoms, such as headaches, confusion, delirium, impaired consciousness, seizures, and strokes. Doctors often refer patients exhibiting such symptoms for an EEG test, involving electrodes placed on the scalp to monitor brain electrical activity.
Researchers from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX, and the University of Pittsburgh, PA, conducted a review analyzing EEG results from 617 patients, reported in 84 different studies. The median age of these patients was 61.3 years, with two-thirds being males.
The review revealed that the slowing of brain waves and abnormal electrical discharges were the most common findings. Remarkably, the extent of EEG abnormalities correlated positively with the severity of the disease and the presence of pre-existing neurological conditions, such as epilepsy.
Approximately one-third of the abnormal findings were localized in the frontal lobes of the brain, prompting speculation about a connection between these areas and the primary entry point of the virus – the nose.
Dr. Zulfi Haneef, assistant professor of neurology/neurophysiology at Baylor and one of the study's co-authors, suggests that these findings underscore the need to investigate a broader range of patients using EEG tests, as well as other brain imaging methods like MRI or CT scans.
However, it is essential to note that the virus might not be solely responsible for all the observed damage, as systemic effects of the infection, such as inflammation, low oxygen levels, unusual blood conditions, and cardiac arrest, could also contribute to EEG abnormalities extending beyond the frontal lobes.
The researchers identified "diffuse slowing" in the background electrical activity of the whole brain in about 70% of patients. In addition, ongoing health problems linked to "long COVID," such as "brain fog," have been reported by some individuals who have recovered from the disease. A recent, yet unpublished, study found cognitive impairment in individuals who claimed to have contracted COVID-19, with the authors suggesting that the infection might have aged people cognitively by around a decade.
While this study does not provide conclusive proof of lasting cognitive decline due to the infection, it does highlight concerns about possible long-term effects on brain function. Given the EEG abnormalities associated with the neurological symptoms of COVID-19, these concerns seem warranted, according to Dr. Haneef.
In conclusion, while more research is needed, current findings suggest a connection between COVID-19 and abnormal EEG patterns, particularly in the frontal lobes of the brain. These abnormalities could potentially indicate long-term neurological issues associated with COVID-19 infections.
- In addition to neurological symptoms like headaches, confusion, and seizures associated with severe COVID-19 cases, a significant portion of patients may also exhibit abnormalities in their EEG results, especially in the frontal lobes of the brain.
- Remarkably, the presence of pre-existing neurological conditions, such as epilepsy, seems to amplify EEG abnormalities in COVID-19 patients, raising concerns about potential long-term neurological effects.
- The study conducted by researchers from Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh found that approximately one-third of the observed EEG abnormalities were localized in the frontal lobes, leading to speculation about a link between these areas and the primary entry point of the virus – the nose.
- The investigation highlighted a strong correlation between the severity of the disease, the presence of pre-existing neurological conditions, and EEG abnormalities. This findings underscore the necessity for further research into the long-term effects of COVID-19 on brain function and mental health.
