COVID-19 may cause interruptions in electrical activity in the frontal regions of the brain
Brains and Bugs: Understanding COVID-19's Impacts on the Brain
New findings suggest a correlation between neurological symptoms in COVID-19 patients and abnormalities in the brain revealed by EEG tests, with the frontal lobes being a hotspot for these issues.
Let's chat about brains and bugs: The connection seems to be there – around a third of the EEG abnormalities were found in the frontal lobes, which are located next to the nose, the most likely entry point for the virus.
Aside from that, doctors may refer patients with neurological symptoms for an EEG test, which involves monitoring the brain's electrical activity using electrodes attached to the scalp. Findings often include slowing of brain waves and abnormal electrical discharges, and these EEG abnormalities may be more pronounced in patients with severe disease or preexisting neurological issues, like epilepsy.
This research, published in the journal "Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy," indicates that COVID-19 might have some long-term effects on the brain, causing ongoing concerns among health experts. However, it's worth mentioning that the virus may not be solely responsible for the damage – other factors like inflammation, low oxygen, sticky blood, and heart attacks may also contribute to the EEG abnormalities observed beyond the frontal lobes.
What’s more, some people who have recovered from COVID-19 are experiencing ongoing health issues called "long COVID." Among these is "brain fog," and a recent study suggests that this infection may have aged people cognitively by around a decade. This, coupled with EEG abnormalities associated with the neurological symptoms of COVID-19, adds fuel to the fire, raising concerns about potential long-term issues for those who have contracted the virus.
On the bright side, over half of those who had follow-up EEG tests showed improvements, indicating that the brain may heal to a certain extent. However, the study had its limitations, like lack of access to raw data and an imbalance in the number of EEGs performed on patients with neurological symptoms.
So while we've learned a lot, there's still a long way to go in terms of understanding the complex relationship between COVID-19, the brain, and preexisting neurological conditions. Keep a close eye on new studies and updates on this topic!
Want to learn more? Check out our coronavirus hub for the latest information on COVID-19. Stay safe, stay informed, and don't forget to take care of your brain!
- The COVID-19 virus might cause long-term impacts on the brain as research indicates that a third of EEG abnormalities were found in the frontal lobes, a hotspot for neurological symptoms.
- Epilepsy patients may experience more pronounced EEG abnormalities when suffering from COVID-19, as the virus may not be solely responsible for the damage, with other factors like inflammation, low oxygen, sticky blood, and heart attacks also contributing.
- Some people who have recovered from COVID-19 are experiencing ongoing health issues called "long COVID," which includes "brain fog," and a recent study suggests that this infection may have aged people cognitively by around a decade.
- Mental health and neurological disorders, like epilepsy, could be potential long-term issues for those who have contracted the coronavirus, as ongoing concerns among health experts persist.
