Brain's Frontal Lobes Electrical Activity Potentially Affected by COVID-19
🔥 COVID-19 and Neurological Symptoms: Unraveling the Mysteries 🔥
Taking a dive into the recent research, we can see that about 15-25% of patients with severe COVID-19 exhibit neurological symptoms. These can range from headaches to seizures, strokes, and even impaired consciousness [1]. As doctors grapple with understanding the virus's neurological impact, EEG tests have become a vital tool for monitoring brain activity.
Seizing the day, researchers from Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh dug deep into data from 617 patients, spanning 84 studies. Conducted with electrodes on the scalp to track the brain's electrical activity, EEG tests revealed a chilling trend. Abnormalities in the frontal lobes accounted for about a third of the findings [1].
"With the virus usually entering through the nose, it seems there's a connection to the nearby frontal lobes," posits Dr. Zulfi Haneef, assistant professor of neurology at Baylor College of Medicine [1]. Further investigation is underway, as doctors seek to perform EEG tests more widely and delve deeper with MRI or CT scans [1].
It's essential to note that while COVID-19 might be a primary culprit behind the frontal lobe abnormalities, other factors are at play as well. Systemic effects of the infection, like inflammation, low oxygen levels, "sticky blood," and cardiac arrest, could potentially be contributors to the EEG abnormalities that extend beyond the frontal lobes [1].
Now, let's address the elephant in the room: brain fog. Some COVID-19 survivors have reported lingering health issues called "long COVID." One of these symptoms is cognitive impairment, infamously known as "brain fog." In a study that's yet to undergo peer review, researchers found that individuals claiming to have had COVID-19 scored lower on an online cognitive test compared to those who didn't believe they had contracted the virus [2].
With EEG abnormalities linked to the neurological symptoms of COVID-19, Dr. Haneef raises valid concerns about long-term impacts on the brain [1]. While caution is in order, it's important to remember that this study doesn't definitively prove that the infection leads to long-term cognitive decline. Rather, it's adding fuel to the conversation about lingering neurological effects of the virus.
On a positive note, approximately 57% of patients with follow-up EEG tests display improvements [1]. Despite the limitations of the research, such as a lack of access to raw data and potential skewing due to selective reporting or administration of anti-seizure medications, the urgency to explore the link between COVID-19, the brain, and EEG abnormalities remains undeterred.
Stay tuned for updates on the latest developments regarding this novel coronavirus and COVID-19.
[1] Coronavirus data:All data and statistics are based on publicly available data at the time of publication. For the most recent information on COVID-19, visit our coronavirus hub.
[2] Further Reading:For more details on COVID-19 prevention, treatment, and lingering impacts, refer to our coronavirus hub.
[3] Enrichment Data:Limited direct research correlates COVID-19 severity with EEG abnormalities in the frontal lobes. However, multiple studies suggest COVID-19 can lead to neurological symptoms and changes in brain activity. Frontal lobe abnormalities may be associated with cognitive and behavioral changes. The long-term neurological effects of COVID-19 and its potential impact on brain health are being investigated.
- The coronovirus, otherwise known as COVID-19, has been found to exhibit neurological symptoms in about 15-25% of severe cases, according to recent research, ranging from headaches to seizures, strokes, and impaired consciousness [1].
- As doctors continue to investigate the neurological impact of COVID-19, EEG tests have become a crucial tool for monitoring brain activity, revealing abnormalities in the frontal lobes in about a third of cases [1].
- While the coronavirus might be a primary cause of the frontal lobe abnormalities, other factors like inflammation, low oxygen levels, and cardiac arrest could also contribute to the EEG abnormalities [1].
- Some COVID-19 survivors have reported lingering health issues called "long COVID," one of which is cognitive impairment, commonly known as "brain fog." A study found that individuals claiming to have had COVID-19 scored lower on an online cognitive test compared to those who didn't believe they had contracted the virus, adding fuel to the conversation about long-term neurological effects of the virus [2].
