Brain's Frontal Lobes Electrical Activity Potentially Affected by COVID-19
A Look at the Impact of COVID-19 on Brain Function: Focus on EEG Abnormalities in the Frontal Lobes
Studies indicate that approximately 15-25% of patients with severe COVID-19 may experience neurological symptoms, including headaches, confusion, seizures, and strokes. As a result, doctors often refer patients for EEG tests to monitor the electrical activity of the brain.
Researchers from Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh analyzed EEG results from 617 patients, reported in 84 different studies, to investigate how COVID-19 affects the brain. The study, published in the journal Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy, revealed that around a third of the abnormal findings were in the frontal lobes of the brain.
Dr. Zulfi Haneef, assistant professor of neurology/neurophysiology at Baylor, explains, "We know that 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."
While the exact relationship between the virus and neurological issues isn't clear, researchers suggest that the virus itself may not be directly responsible for all damage. Systemic effects of the infection, such as inflammation, low oxygen levels, unusually "sticky" blood, and cardiac arrest, may contribute to the EEG abnormalities observed.
The study identified "diffuse slowing" in the background electrical activity of the whole brain in almost 70% of patients. This cognitive decline, combined with the EEG abnormalities, raises concerns about lasting issues for COVID-19 survivors.
Dr. Haneef explains, "While it does not definitively prove that the infection caused long-term cognitive decline, it does highlight concerns about lasting effects on the brain." More research is needed to understand the long-term implications for recovered patients.
Notably, the research findings suggest that EEG and other brain imaging tests should be considered for a wider range of patients to better understand COVID-19's impact on the brain.
Clarification: Although direct research on EEG abnormalities in the frontal lobes is limited, there is some evidence to suggest that COVID-19 may lead to broader neurocognitive and neurophysiological changes, potentially impacting EEG readings[1][2][5].
[1] - Neurocognitive impairments, including memory and attention deficits, have been linked to COVID-19. These symptoms can reflect changes in brain function, though specific studies on EEG abnormalities in the frontal lobes due to COVID-19 are not well-documented.
[2] - Research has shown that COVID-19 can cause structural changes in the brain, such as diffuse white matter hyperintensities. Although these changes are not specifically linked to EEG abnormalities in the frontal lobes, they suggest the potential for neurophysiological alterations.
[5] - EEG measures, particularly those involving dynamic metrics like alpha traveling waves, can offer insights into neural communication and connectivity. These metrics have been used to assess functional changes in brain disorders but have not been specifically applied to study COVID-19-related EEG abnormalities in the frontal lobes.
- Approximately 15-25% of patients with severe COVID-19 may experience neurological symptoms, such as seizures and strokes, causing doctors to refer them for EEG tests to monitor brain activity.
- A study by researchers from Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh found that around a third of COVID-19-related EEG abnormalities were in the frontal lobes of the brain.
- Dr. Zulfi Haneef, assistant professor of neurology/neurophysiology at Baylor, suggests a correlation between the virus's entry point in the nose and the EEG abnormalities in the frontal lobes.
- Although the relationship between the virus and neurological issues isn't fully understood, researchers propose that systemic effects of the infection, like inflammation and low oxygen levels, contribute to the observed EEG abnormalities.
- The study identified "diffuse slowing" in the background electrical activity of the whole brain in almost 70% of patients, raising concerns about potential long-term cognitive decline for COVID-19 survivors.
- Researchers suggest that EEG and other brain imaging tests should be considered for a wider range of patients to better understand COVID-19's impact on the brain, potentially leading to more comprehensive neurocognitive and neurophysiological studies.
