Brain's Frontal Lobes Electrical Activity Potentially Affected by COVID-19
Approximately 15-25% of patients with severe COVID-19 may develop neurological symptoms, according to an analysis of research data. The symptoms often include headaches, confusion, and seizures, and doctors may refer patients for an EEG test to monitor brain activity.
Researchers from Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh reviewed 617 patients' EEG test results from various studies. Among the most common findings were slowing of brain waves and abnormal electrical discharges. Furthermore, the extent of the EEG abnormalities positively correlated with the severity of the disease and any preexisting neurological conditions.
Of the abnormalities identified, around a third were located in the frontal lobes of the brain, leading experts to suspect a connection between the entry point for the virus and these brain regions. However, researchers note that the virus may not be the only culprit. Systemic effects of the infection, such as inflammation, low oxygen levels, and cardiac arrest, may also play a role in EEG abnormalities that extend beyond the frontal lobes.
Some individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 have reported ongoing health problems, such as brain fog. While EEG abnormalities cannot definitively prove long-term cognitive decline, they do raise concerns about the potential for lasting neurological impact. Over 56% of patients showed improvements in follow-up EEG tests, suggesting that these abnormalities may not necessarily indicate long-term neurological issues.
The increased risk of persistent neurological complications associated with COVID-19 has become a significant concern for researchers. Studies suggest that the virus may increase the risk of neurodegenerative diseases and persistent neurological deficits. The long-term effects of EEG abnormalities are still under investigation, but they could be markers of ongoing neurological dysfunction or risk factors for chronic neurological conditions.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, understanding the neurological effects of the virus remains essential for understanding the wide-ranging implications of the illness. The findings from EEG tests and other imaging techniques can help healthcare professionals better manage the neurological symptoms of COVID-19 and provide insights into potential long-term issues.
- Seizures, a type of epilepsy, have been observed as neurological symptoms in approximately 15-25% of patients with severe COVID-19, as implied by the analysis of research data.
- In addition to coronavirus, medical-conditions like inflammation, low oxygen levels, and cardiac arrest may contribute to EEG abnormalities in patients, as suggested by researchers at Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh.
- The study also revealed that the risk of persistent neurological complications associated with COVID-19, including potential neurodegenerative diseases and persistent neurological deficits, might increase over time, according to ongoing research in health-and-wellness and neurological-disorders.
