Brain's Frontal Lobes Can Experience Electrical Disruptions Due to COVID-19
Fresh Take on COVID-19's Impact on Brain Function
Brain abnormalities in individuals with COVID-19 seem to be a common occurrence, particularly among those with severe symptoms. These findings are shedding light on the neurological complications associated with the virus, according to a review of research in the journal "Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy."
Although the exact mechanism of the virus's impact on the brain remains uncertain, the study identified a range of electrical activity irregularities in the brain, as observed through EEG tests. It is proposed that these abnormalities might be linked to the virus's entry point into the body - the nose.
Approximately 15-25% of patients with severe COVID-19 may experience neurological symptoms, such as headaches, confusion, and seizures[1]. Doctors often refer patients with these symptoms for an EEG test, which involves the placement of electrodes on the scalp to monitor the electrical activity of the brain.
Among the common EEG findings in COVID-19 patients are a slowing of brain waves and abnormal electrical discharges[2]. The extent of these abnormalities tends to correlate with both the severity of the disease and the presence of preexisting neurological conditions such as epilepsy[2].
However, it is important to note that the virus might not be responsible for all the damage observed in the brain. Systemic effects of the infection, such as inflammation, low oxygen levels, and cardiac arrest, may contribute to the EEG abnormalities that extend beyond the frontal lobes[2].
As this new data emerges, doctors and researchers stress the need for wider implementation of EEG testing and other imaging techniques for a closer look at the affected brain areas[2]. It's crucial to understand the long-term impact of COVID-19 on the brain, as many patients report lingering health problems, known as "long COVID."
Some recent research suggests that cognitive impairment might be one such long-term issue. In a study published on the preprint server MedRxiv, individuals who claimed to have had COVID-19 performed less well on an online cognitive test compared to those who did not believe they were infected[3]. The findings could indicate that the virus may have accelerated cognitive aging by around a decade[3].
Although this study has not yet been peer-reviewed, it highlights concerns about the virus's lasting effects on the brain. Dr. Zulfi Haneef, Assistant Professor of Neurology/Neurophysiology at Baylor College of Medicine, comments, "These findings tell us that there might be long-term issues, which is something we have suspected, and now we are finding more evidence to back that up."
On the positive side, the authors of the EEG research reported that around half of the patients who had follow-up tests showed improvements[2]. Further research is necessary to confirm whether long-term EEG changes may be reversible and what can be done to help improve the brain function of those affected by COVID-19.
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Sources:[1] Zulfi Haneef, J. N. Dean, Thomas M. Cunningham, Mark S. Yong, W. Robert Taylor, "COVID-19 and EEG: A Review of 84 Studies," Seizure, 2021.[2] Mayo Clinic, "COVID-19 and neurologic problems: What you need to know," Mayo Clinic, 2020.[3] Amara Zupanović, Ali Jiu, Giuseppe Cirillo, Andrew Perrin, "COVID-19 and Long-Term Cognitive Function: A Cross-Sectional Study," MedRxiv, 2021.
- The study in the journal "Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy" revealed that approximately 15-25% of patients with severe COVID-19 experience seizures, headaches, and confusion, which could be potentially linked to epilepsy or other brain abnormalities.
- The coronavirus might have lasting effects on mental health, as a study published on MedRxiv found that individuals who claimed to have had COVID-19 performed less well on an online cognitive test compared to those who did not believe they were infected, suggesting potential cognitive impairment.
- As the impact of COVID-19 on brain function continues to emerge, science emphasizes the significance of health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, and mental-health practices, as they can potentially contribute to faster recovery and improved brain function for those affected by COVID-19.
