Brain's frontal lobes can exhibit electrical disruptions due to COVID-19 infection
It's no secret that COVID-19 can wreak havoc on the lungs, but what about the brain? Recent research suggests that the virus may be sneaky, leaving unexpected markers in its wake.
In a study investigating brain abnormalities in COVID-19 patients, researchers from Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh analyzed EEG results from 617 patients. According to Dr. Zulfi Haneef, assistant professor of neurology/neurophysiology at Baylor, approximately 33% of the abnormal findings were found in the frontal lobes of the brain – a region that shares a close proximity with the nose, the suspected entry point of the virus.
The most common findings in the patient group were slowing of brain waves and abnormal electrical discharges. The researchers also noticed that the extent of EEG abnormalities positively correlated with the severity of the disease and whether patients had pre-existing neurological conditions, such as epilepsy.
"These findings tell us that we need to try EEG on a wider range of patients, as well as other types of brain imaging, such as MRI or CT scans, that will give us a closer look at the frontal lobe," Dr. Haneef says.
However, the researchers caution that the virus may not be directly responsible for all the damage observed in patient brain scans. "Systemic effects of the infection, such as inflammation, low oxygen levels, unusually 'sticky' blood, and cardiac arrest may play a role in EEG abnormalities that extend beyond the frontal lobes," explains Dr. Haneef.
As COVID-19 recovered patients start to report ongoing health issues, otherwise known as "long COVID," researchers are becoming increasingly interested in understanding the long-term effects of the virus on the brain. A recent study found that individuals who claim to have had COVID performed less well on an online cognitive test than those who did not believe they contracted the virus. The authors suggest that the infection may have aged people cognitively by around a decade.
Dr. Haneef believes that the EEG abnormalities associated with COVID-19 neurological symptoms add to concerns about lasting brain effects. "A lot of people think they will get the illness, get well, and everything will go back to normal, but these findings tell us that there might be long-term issues," he says. Despite the limitations of the research, Dr. Haneef remains hopeful, reporting that 56.8% of those who underwent follow-up EEG tests showed improvement.
While the long-term consequences of COVID-19 on the brain are still largely unknown, one thing is certain – the virus is a nasty, unwelcome surprise that refuses to play by the rules. So it's crucial to stay vigilant, wear a mask, and keep your chin up. And if you're experiencing neurological symptoms, don't be shy – get that EEG or MRI test you need to keep your brain ticking along like a well-oiled machine.
- The coronavirus, more commonly known as COVID-19, may not only harm the lungs but could also potentially cause abnormalities in the brain, such as epilepsy seizures, as suggested by recent research.
- In a study investigating brain abnormalities in COVID-19 patients, approximately 33% of the abnormal findings were found in the frontal lobes of the brain, a region that shares a close proximity with the nose, the suspected entry point of the virus.
- The extent of EEG abnormalities positively correlated with the severity of the disease and whether patients had pre-existing neurological conditions, such as epilepsy or other mental-health issues.
- As COVID-19 recovered patients report ongoing health issues, researchers are increasingly interested in understanding the long-term effects of the virus on the brain, including its potential contribution to other health-and-wellness issues like neurological disorders and cognitive decline.
