Brain's Frontal Lobes Electrical Activity Potentially Affected by COVID-19
Severe COVID-19 patients displaying neurological symptoms are frequently exhibiting abnormalities in the frontal lobe of the brain, as per a comprehensive review of research.
The percentage of patients experiencing severe neurological complications alongside COVID-19 ranges between 15-25%. Symptoms may include headaches, confusion, seizures, and strokes. When such symptoms are observed, medical professionals may order an electroencephalography (EEG) test. The procedure involves placing electrodes on the scalp to monitor brain electrical activity.
Writing in the European Journal of Epilepsy, researchers from Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh analyzed EEG results from 617 patients across 84 studies. The most prevalent findings revealed slowing of brain waves and abnormal electrical discharges.
The average age of patients undergoing EEG tests was 61.3 years, with two-thirds being male. The study found that the extent of EEG abnormalities positively correlates with the severity of the disease and pre-existing neurological conditions, such as epilepsy.
Approximately a third of the observed abnormalities were located in the frontal lobes of the brain, leading researchers to suspect a direct connection between the virus's entry point in the nose and the nearby brain region. EEG tests, along with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scans, could potentially be employed to investigate deeper into the affected brain tissue.
The research suggests the virus may not be the sole perpetrator of all damage and notes that systemic effects of the infection, such as inflammation, low oxygen levels, unusually "sticky" blood, and cardiac arrest, might influence EEG abnormalities beyond the frontal lobes.
In addition, ongoing health issues, known as "long COVID," have been reported by some recovered patients. This includes "brain fog," a term used to describe cognitive decline. Preliminary findings from a study on MedRxiv suggest that recovered COVID-19 patients may perform worse on a cognitive test compared to those who didn't contract the virus, implying potential long-term effects on the brain.
Nevertheless, it is crucial to emphasize that the correlation between long-term cognitive decline and COVID-19 has not been definitively proven. Dr. Zulfi Haneef, one of the co-authors of the review, adds that the research underscores concerns about long-term issues, a possibility that has been previously suspected.
On a positive note, more than half of the patients who underwent follow-up EEG tests showed improvements. As limitations, the study had restricted access to raw data, potentially skewed results due to selective reporting of EEG tests, and the administration of anti-seizure medications that might have obscured certain signs in EEG traces.
- The coronavirus has been identified as a potential factor contributing to neurological symptoms in severe COVID-19 patients, such as seizures and headaches.
- The science community is investigating the impact of COVID-19 on mental health and cognitive function, with preliminary findings suggesting that recovered patients may experience lingering effects, known as "brain fog."
- Fitness and exercise, along with a well-balanced diet, could potentially help manage the long-term effects of COVID-19 on the brain, although more research is needed to confirm this.
- CBD, a popular natural supplement known for its anti-inflammatory properties, is being researched as a potential aid for managing neurological complications associated with COVID-19, although its effectiveness is still unproven.
