Brain's Frontal Lobes Disrupted by COVID-19, Research Suggests
COVID-19 and the Brain: EEG Abnormalities
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Data shows that between 15-25% of severe COVID-19 patients may experience neurological symptoms, including headaches, confusion, seizures, and strokes. To investigate the impact of COVID-19 on the brain, researchers analyzed EEG results from 617 patients reported in 84 studies.
EEG Tests and Frontal Lobe Abnormalities
One interesting finding from this research was that around a third of the detected abnormalities were in the frontal lobes. The most common abnormalities were the slowing of brain waves and unusual electrical discharges. Researchers notice that the extent of such EEG abnormalities correlates with disease severity and preexisting neurological conditions.
"There's a clear link between the virus entry point in the nose and the frontal lobe of the brain," says Dr. Zulfi Haneef, a co-author of the study. "This suggests we should consider EEG tests for a wider range of patients, and not just those with severe symptoms."
However, it's important to note that the virus might not be solely responsible for all the damage. Systemic effects of the infection, such as inflammation, low oxygen levels, and cardiac arrest, could contribute to EEG abnormalities outside the frontal lobes.
Long-term Concerns
Some people who have recovered from COVID-19 have reported ongoing health issues known as "long COVID." Among these is "brain fog." A recent, yet unpublished, study found that individuals who claimed to have had COVID-19 performed less well on an online cognitive test compared to those who did not think they contracted the virus, potentially indicating cognitive aging by around a decade.
The concern over long-term neurological issues grows with findings like the EEG abnormalities associated with neurological symptoms of COVID-19. "There might be long-term issues," says Dr. Haneef, "and now we have more evidence to support that concern." On a positive note, 56.8% of patients showed improvements in their EEG tests when re-evaluated.
Limitations and Future Research
This analysis had limitations, including limited access to raw data and the possibility of skewed results due to disproportionate EEG testing among patients with neurological symptoms. Doctors might also have given anti-seizure medications to patients suspected of having seizures, potentially obscuring signs in their EEG traces. Ongoing research and detailed studies may provide a more comprehensive understanding of how COVID-19 affects the brain and offers a clearer picture of long-term consequences.
[3] source for alpha and theta waves info
- The research on COVID-19 and the brain reveals that a significant number of patients with severe symptoms may experience epilepsy seizures, headaches, and other neurological disorders, possibly due to abnormalities in the frontal lobes shown by EEG tests.
- The prolonged health issues, known as "long COVID," have raised concerns about potential long-term neurological conditions, such as cognitive issues and brain fog, as suggested by a recent but unpublished study.
- In light of the observed EEG abnormalities in COVID-19 patients, the scientific community acknowledges the importance of further research on the impact of coronavirus on health-and-wellness, especially regarding neurological-disorders and the long-term consequences on the brain, including alpha and theta wave patterns in EEG results.
