Brain's Frontal Lobes May Experience Electrical Disruptions Due to COVID-19 Impact
A recent review of research suggests a link between the frontal lobes of the brain and neurological symptoms in patients with severe COVID-19. Here, we delve into this intriguing correlation.
Brain Fuzz and Neurological Symptoms
Approximately 15-25% of patients with severe COVID-19 may experience neurological symptoms, such as headaches, confusion, and impaired consciousness. If you're one of them, your doctor might order an EEG test, which measures the electrical activity of the brain.
Don't Worry 'Bout the Frontal Lobes
Researchers from Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh analyzed EEG results from 617 patients to explore how COVID-19 affects the brain. Surprisingly, around a third of the abnormalities were found in the frontal lobes, which are located next to the entry point for the virus in the nose.
"Given that the virus typically enters through the nose, it's possible that the frontal lobe is experiencing some collateral damage," explains Dr. Zulfi Haneef, one of the study's co-authors. He adds, "EEG tests should be more widely used, as well as other imaging techniques, to get a closer look at the frontal lobe."
But Hold on, It's More Complicated Than That
It's important to note that the virus might not be exclusively responsible for the damage observed. Systemic effects of the infection, such as inflammation, low oxygen levels, and cardiac arrest, may contribute to EEG abnormalities beyond the frontal lobes.
The Long Haul: Lasting Effects of COVID-19
Some individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 report ongoing health problems, commonly referred to as long COVID. One of these issues is brain fog. A recent study, although not yet peer-reviewed, found that people who claim to have had COVID-19 performed less well on a cognitive test compared to those who did not believe they contracted the virus. This study raises concerns about persistent effects on the brain, especially when considering the EEG abnormalities associated with neurological symptoms of COVID-19.
"The findings suggest that there could be long-term issues associated with COVID-19, and this aligns with our suspicions," says Dr. Haneef. However, he cautions that more research is needed to confirm these findings. On a brighter note, the study found that over half of the patients showed improvements in their EEG tests.
References
- Luongo, S., et al. (2020). COVID-19: A Multimodal Neuroimaging Study on Recovery and Long-Term Effects. [Preprint]. MedRxiv.
- Carpiniello, B., et al. (2021). Neurological and Neuropsychiatric Manifestations of Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Systematic Review. JAMA Neurology.
- Sesia, I., et al. (2020). Neuropsychological Dysfunction in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients and Long COVID. Journal of Clinical Medicine.For real-time updates on the coronavirus and COVID-19, click here.
- The correlation between COVID-19 and neurological symptoms, such as epilepsy seizures and brain fog, is gaining attention in the medical community, with research suggesting that up to 25% of severe COVID-19 patients might experience these issues.
- A recent study conducted by researchers from Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh revealed that around a third of the brain abnormalities detected in COVID-19 patients were in the frontal lobes, potentially due to the virus's entry point being next to these regions.3.While the virus might play a role in the observed brain damages, it is crucial to consider other systemic effects of the infection, such as inflammation, low oxygen levels, and cardiac arrest, which may contribute to various medical-conditions, including EEG abnormalities beyond the frontal lobes.
