Brain's Frontal Lobes Electrical Activity May be Affected by COVID-19
In a recent review of research, it's been found that patients with neurological symptoms related to COVID-19 often exhibit abnormalities in their brains, as revealed by electroencephalography (EEG) tests. These testing procedures involve placing electrodes on the scalp to monitor the electrical activity of the brain.
Approximately 15-25% of patients with severe COVID-19 encounter neurological symptoms, such as headaches, confusion, and seizures. Intriguingly, the abnormalities detected in these patients' EEG results frequently focus on the frontal lobes of the brain. Dr. Zulfi Haneef, assistant professor of neurology/neurophysiology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX, believes that this connection might be due to the virus entering the body through the nose—since the frontal lobe lies adjacent to this area.
Dr. Haneef, one of the co-authors of the study, suggests that it's crucial to conduct EEG tests on a broader range of patients and use additional brain imaging techniques, such as MRI or CT scans, to analyze the frontal lobe more closely. Although it's clear that COVID-19 has an impact on the brain, it remains unclear whether the virus is responsible for all the observed damage. Systemic effects of the disease, like inflammation, low oxygen levels, and abnormal blood clotting, could contribute to the EEG abnormalities that extend beyond the frontal lobes.
Some individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 experience ongoing health issues, now collectively referred to as "long COVID." Among these are symptoms like "brain fog," which involves difficulty concentrating, thinking clearly, and making decisions. Research is ongoing to determine whether the virus directly causes these lingering problems or if there are other contributing factors.
Recent research suggests that people who claim to have had COVID-19 perform less well on a cognitive test when compared to those who did not believe they contracted the virus. Although this study lacks peer-review, it highlights concerns about long-term cognitive decline in COVID-19 patients. Dr. Haneef agrees that the existence of EEG abnormalities associated with the neurological symptoms of COVID-19 reinforces these concerns.
On a positive note, about 56.8% of patients who received follow-up EEG tests showed improvements. Despite its limitations, such as a lack of access to individual patient data and potential skewing of results due to disproportionate EEG testing among patients with neurological symptoms, the study serves as an essential stepping stone for increased understanding of the neurological complications of COVID-19.
- Studies have indicated that epilepsy and seizures are among the neurological symptoms experienced by some patients with COVID-19.
- Apart from neurological conditions like epilepsy and seizures, COVID-19 patients may also encounter mental health issues such as "brain fog" post-recovery.
- CBD, a compound often used for managing various medical conditions and health-and-wellness issues, could potentially be explored for its effect on epilepsy and seizures related to COVID-19.
- Given the impact of COVID-19 on mental health and neurological disorders, further research is needed to fully understand the long-term effects of the virus on the brain and cognitive function.
