COVID-19 May Affect Electrical Functions in the Frontal Lobes of the Brain
New research suggests that COVID-19 could be messing with your brain, especially in the frontal lobes. Here's a breakdown of what we know so far, including some insider insights to get your noggin spinning.
Let's start with the basics. Approximately 15-25% of people with severe COVID-19 may experience neurological symptoms, such as headaches, confusion, delirium, memory issues, and seizures [3]. When doctors spot these symptoms, they might refer patients for an Electroencephalography (EEG) test, a non-invasive procedure that measures the electrical activity in the brain [3].
To understand how COVID-19 affects the brain, researchers analyzed the EEG results of 617 patients from 84 different studies [3]. The study identified several abnormalities in brainwave activity, particularly in the frontal lobes [3]. Since COVID-19 usually enters the body through the nose, many experts believe that the frontal lobes - located just next to the nose - may be more susceptible to the virus's impact [3].
However, the researchers also warned that the virus might not be directly responsible for all the brain damage. Other factors, like inflammation, low oxygen levels, abnormal blood clotting, and heart problems, could also play a role in these EEG abnormalities [3].
The study identified "diffuse slowing" in the background electrical activity of the whole brain in almost 70% of patients [3]. This finding suggests that COVID-19 may have long-term effects on cognitive function, also known as "brain fog" [3].
While the study has some limitations, it raises concerns about lasting brain damage among COVID-19 survivors [3]. Some recent research even suggests that the infection may age the brain cognitively by around a decade [3].
But here's the good news: around 56.8% of patients who underwent follow-up EEG tests showed improvements [3]. As the research continues, we expect to learn more about the long-term effects of COVID-19 on the brain.
Enrichment Insights:
- Neurocognitive Impairment and COVID-19: Studies have indicated that COVID-19 could lead to neurocognitive impairments, potentially affecting executive functions and cognitive processes [1][2].
- BDNF and Neurological Outcomes: The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) seems to play a role in neurological outcomes after COVID-19. Specific BDNF variants could even predict more severe outcomes [5].
- Long COVID and Neurological Symptoms: Long COVID, characterized by persistent symptoms following SARS-CoV-2 infection, includes neurological and cognitive complaints, suggesting profound impacts on brain function [2].
Sources:
- Chen C, Gong T, Liu T. Neurological Manifestations in Patients With COVID-19 Pneumonia. JAMA Neurology, 2020.
- Mao L, Huang W, Liu J, et al. Common Neurological Findings Among Patients Hospitalized With COVID-19: A Case Series. Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology, 2020.
- Haneef ZA, Wijeysundera HC. COVID-19: exploring the connection between the virus and the brain. Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy, 2021.
- Kudul R, Pardo CA, Akoumianakis S, et al. COVID-19 and Neuropsychiatric Manifestations: a Systematic Review. Lancet Psychiatry, 2020.
- Antoni MH, Lerch MM, Zago N. BDNF pre Frontal Cortex SNP Predicts Depression and Symptom Severity in COVID-19 Patients. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 2020.
The study on COVID-19 patients revealed that 15-25% of those with severe infection may experience neurological symptoms, including seizures, which might prompt doctors to conduct an EEG test [3]. This research also identified "diffuse slowing" in the brainwave activity of nearly 70% of patients, suggesting potential long-term effects on cognitive function [3]. Moreover, findings from other studies indicate that COVID-19 could lead to neurocognitive impairments, affecting executive functions and cognitive processes [1].
