COVID-19 and the Brain: A Closer Look
Brain's Frontal Lobes' Electrical Activity May Be Affected by COVID-19
Brain abnormalities are commonly found in patients with neurological symptoms related to COVID-19. A study by researchers from Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh analyzed EEG (Electroencephalography) results from 617 patients to understand how the virus affects the brain.
The EEG Test and Findings
The EEG test, which monitors the electrical activity of the brain by placing electrodes on the scalp, revealed some troubling trends. The most common findings were the slowing of brain waves and abnormal electrical discharges. These abnormalities were more pronounced in patients with severe COVID-19 and those with preexisting neurological conditions like epilepsy.
The Frontal Lobe: A Target Area
Approximately one-third of the abnormalities were found in the frontal lobes of the brain. Dr. Zulfi Haneef, one of the study co-authors, suggests that this could be due to the COVID-19 virus's likely entry point being the nose, as the frontal lobe is located directly next to it. He believes that EEG tests and other brain imaging techniques, such as MRI or CT scans, should be administered to a wider range of COVID-19 patients.
The Role of Inflammation and Other Factors
While the virus may not be directly responsible for all the damage, systemic effects of the infection, such as inflammation, low oxygen levels, unusually "sticky" blood, and cardiac arrest, may play a role in the EEG abnormalities that extend beyond the frontal lobes.
Long-term Effects: Brain Fog and More
Some people who have recovered from COVID-19 report ongoing health problems, now labeled as "long COVID." Among these issues is "brain fog." A recent study found that individuals who claim to have had COVID-19 performed less well on an online cognitive test than those who did not believe they had contracted the virus. While this study does not prove that the infection caused long-term cognitive decline, it does raise concerns about the virus's potential impact on the brain.
Despite these worries, the study's authors report that 56.8% of those who had follow-up EEG tests showed improvements. However, the analysis had several limitations, including lack of access to raw data from individual studies, potential omission of reported normal EEGs, and the administration of anti-seizure medications to many patients, which may have obscured signs of seizures in their EEG traces.
Additional Thoughts and Insights
- COVID-19 triggers systemic inflammation, with proinflammatory cytokines like interleukin-1 and interleukin-6 playing a significant role [1]. These cytokines are linked to central and systemic inflammatory profiles [1].
- The brain's immune cells, microglia, undergo morphological changes and metabolic failures in COVID-19, contributing to neuroinflammation and potential EEG abnormalities [1].
- Severe vascular inflammation can lead to substantial damage in the brain, affecting microglia and neural structures, which could manifest as EEG abnormalities [1].
- COVID-19 patients often experience neurological complications, such as stroke. These conditions can contribute to EEG abnormalities [3].
- Factors contributing to increased severity of EEG abnormalities include direct viral effects and underlying health conditions [1].
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- The coronavirus can have significant impacts on the brain, as revealed by an EEG study of 617 patients, with many exhibiting slowing of brain waves and abnormal electrical discharges.
- Approximately one-third of these abnormalities were found specifically in the frontal lobes of the brain, suggesting a potential entry point for the virus in the nose.
- Underlying neurological conditions, such as epilepsy, may exacerbate the EEG abnormalities seen in COVID-19 patients, particularly those with severe illness.
- Long-term effects of COVID-19, often referred to as "long COVID," may include issues like brain fog and cognitive decline, although further research is needed to fully understand the relationship.
- Aside from direct viral effects, other factors like inflammation, low oxygen levels, and unusual blood clotting may also contribute to EEG abnormalities in COVID-19 patients.
- As concerns about the virus's potential impact on the brain and mental health continue to grow, it's crucial to prioritize health and wellness, as well as seek therapies for neurological disorders and mental health issues.