Brain's Frontal Lobes Electrical Activity Potentially Affected by COVID-19

Brain's Frontal Lobes Electrical Activity Potentially Affected by COVID-19

A review of research indicates that brain abnormalities detected by electroencephalography (EEG) tests are quite common among patients experiencing neurological symptoms linked to COVID-19. Here's a quick rundown of what we've learned so far.

covid-19, brain, EEG, neurological symptoms

Brain Abnormalities in COVID-19 Patients

Approximately 15-25% of patients with severe COVID-19 might experience neurological symptoms, such as headaches, confusion, seizures, and strokes. Medical professionals may refer these patients for an EEG test, which involves placing electrodes on the scalp to monitor the brain's electrical activity.

Researchers from Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh analyzed EEG results from 617 patients, reported in 84 separate studies. The researchers found the most common findings were slowing of brain waves and abnormal electrical discharges.

Interestingly, around a third of the observed abnormalities were in the frontal lobes of the brain, suggesting a connection between the part of the brain located near the virus's entry point – the nose.

However, it's essential to note that the virus may not be solely responsible for the observed damage. Systemic effects of the infection, such as inflammation, low oxygen levels, sticky blood, and cardiac arrest, could contribute to EEG abnormalities that extend beyond the frontal lobes.

Long-Term Impacts and Brain Fog

Some individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 report ongoing health issues, often referred to as "long COVID." One such issue is "brain fog."

A recent, non-peer-reviewed study found that individuals who claim to have had COVID-19 performed less well on an online cognitive test compared to those who did not believe they contracted the virus. This study highlights concerns about long-term brain effects.

The findings of EEG abnormalities associated with COVID-19-related neurological symptoms contribute to these concerns. Dr. Zulfi Haneef, one of the study's co-authors, notes that while a lot of people may recover from the illness, there might be long-term issues, and more evidence suggests this to be true.

On a positive note, the authors report that around 57% of those who had follow-up EEG tests showed improvements. However, this analysis had limitations, such as a lack of access to raw data from individual studies and potential skewing of the research results due to disproportionate number of EEGs performed on patients with neurological symptoms.

For the latest updates on COVID-19 and related research, click here.

Glossary

• EEG test: a diagnostic test that records electrical activity in the brain, typically done by placing electrodes on the scalp
• Neurological symptoms: health issues related to the nervous system, such as headaches, confusion, seizures, and strokes
• Long COVID: ongoing health issues experienced by individuals who have recovered from COVID-19
• Brain fog: a condition characterized by difficulty in thinking, memory problems, and decreased concentration, often reported by individuals who have recovered from COVID-19

Important Facts

1. Around 15-25% of patients with severe COVID-19 may experience neurological symptoms.
2. EEG tests can identify abnormal electrical activity in the brain, with around a third of abnormalities observed in the frontal lobes.
3. The virus may not be solely responsible for observed damage, and systemic effects of the infection could contribute to EEG abnormalities.
4. Research suggests that around 57% of those who had follow-up EEG tests showed improvements.
5. Studies indicate concerns about long-term brain effects associated with COVID-19, such as "brain fog."

[1]: Enrichment Data: The prevalence of EEG abnormalities in COVID-19 patients with neurological symptoms is not definitively established. However, preexisting neurological conditions may influence the severity and presentation of neurological symptoms in COVID-19, and EEG could be a useful tool for monitoring neurological complications.

[2]: Enrichment Data: Studies suggest that COVID-19-related neurological symptoms are often associated with inflammatory changes and hypoxic brain injury. These mechanisms could potentially lead to abnormalities on EEGs. Some evidence indicates that preexisting neurological conditions could exacerbate COVID-19-related neurological complications.

1. The presence of brain abnormalities in COVID-19 patients is frequently detected by EEG tests, which may reveal symptoms such as headaches, confusion, seizures, and strokes.
2. In a review of research by Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh, approximately one-third of observed EEG abnormalities were found in the frontal lobes of the brain, hinting at a correlation between the virus's entry point, the nose, and the affected region.
3. EEG tests have shown slowing of brain waves and abnormal electrical discharges in COVID-19 patients experiencing neurological symptoms.
4. Besides the direct impact of COVID-19, systemic effects such as inflammation, low oxygen levels, and cardiac arrest could contribute to EEG abnormalities extending beyond the frontal lobes.
5. Research focuses on understanding the long-term impacts of COVID-19, particularly concerning ongoing health issues like "brain fog." A recent study found individuals who claimed to have had COVID-19 performed worse on a cognitive test compared to those who did not believe they contracted the virus.
6. Around 57% of individuals with follow-up EEG tests showed improvements, although there are limitations in the research, such as a lack of raw data access from individual studies and potential skewing of results due to the disproportionate number of EEGs conducted on patients with neurological symptoms.

Read also: