Brain's Frontal Lobes Electrical Activity Disrupted by COVID-19
Let's Dive into the Brain-Corona Connection
As the pandemic rages on, researchers are uncovering puzzling connections between COVID-19 and the brain. Here's a lowdown on the strange electroencephalography (EEG) test findings that are surfacing in hospital beds worldwide.
The Virus and the Brain: A Tangled Tale
About one in six patients grappling with severe COVID-19 could experience neurological symptoms such as headaches, delirium, seizures, and strokes, according to a rough estimate. When things go south for these patients, doctors sometimes refer them for an EEG test - a procedure involving electrodes attached to the scalp to monitor brain activity.
Researchers from Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh analyzed EEG results from 617 patients, culled from 84 studies. The findings were likely enough to make any neurologist raise an eyebrow or two.
A Bunch of Weird Stuff Going on in the Frontal Lobe
Approximately one-third of abnormal EEG findings concentrated in a specific region - the frontal lobes of the brain, which strangely seem to be in close proximity to the most probable entry point for the virus - the nose.
Dr. Zulfi Haneef, one of the co-authors of the study and an assistant professor of neurology/neurophysiology at Baylor, stated, "It seems like there's a connection between the part of the brain that's right next to that entry point."
Could the Virus be to Blame for All the chaos?
It's a bit more complicated than that. The virus might not be solely responsible for all the mayhem in the brain. Inflammation, low oxygen levels, thick blood, and cardiac issues associated with the disease could all play a part in the EEG irregularities found far beyond the frontal lobes.
The Long-Lasting Effects of COVID-19
When people recover from COVID-19, some report lingering health issues, now known as long COVID. Among these problems is brain fog, which is no walk in the park.
A preliminary study, yet to be formally reviewed or published, hints that the infection may have an aging effect on the brain, equivalent to a decade of cognitive decline.
However, doubts remain about the study's conclusion. Dr. Haneef agrees, "These findings do raise concerns about long-term effects on the brain."
On the brighter side, approximately 57% of patients showed improvement when re-examined via EEG tests.
Calling the Shots in Those Confusing COVID-19 Brain Tangles
With these new revelations, healthcare professionals have a fresh mandate for EEG tests and other brain imaging modalities such as MRIs or CT scans to see a clearer picture of the frontal lobes.
But, the tale of COVID-19 and the brain is far from over. As investigators delve deeper into this thicket, they hope to crack the code, guiding us better in managing and predicting neurological outcomes in COVID-19 patients, ultimately paving the way for targeted treatment.
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Insights Gleaned
- Brain Wave Slow-Down and Abnormal Discharges: The study shows that slowing of brainwaves and abnormal electrical discharges are the most common EEG findings in COVID-19 patients with neurological symptoms.
- Severity of the Disease: The severity of the disease and the existence of preexisting neurological conditions such as epilepsy can influence the extent of EEG abnormalities.
- Systemic Effects: Systemic effects like inflammation, low oxygen levels, thick blood, and cardiac issues associated with COVID-19 may contribute to abnormal EEG findings beyond the frontal lobes.
- Improvement Over Time: Roughly 57% of patients with follow-up EEG tests showed improvement over time.
[1]: Enrichment Data: Background Activity and Disease Severity[4]: Enrichment Data: Impact on Neurological Symptoms
- The connection between COVID-19 and the brain is being studied intensely, with neurological symptoms like seizures and strokes reported in one out of six severe COVID-19 patients.
- Research findings suggest that abnormal electrical activities in the brain, such as slowing of brainwaves and abnormal discharges, are common in COVID-19 patients exhibiting neurological symptoms.
- The frontal lobes of the brain, found near the most probable entry point for the coronavirus, appeared to have a significant portion of the abnormal EEG findings.
- While the virus might not be solely responsible for the brain irregularities, factors like inflammation, low oxygen levels, thick blood, and cardiac issues associated with COVID-19 may play a role.
- Upon recovery, some COVID-19 patients may experience long-term health issues, including mental health problems and cognitive decline, though more research is needed to confirm these findings. Additionally, around 57% of patients showed improvement in subsequent EEG tests, indicating potential recovery over time.
