Brain's Frontal Lobes Electrical Activity Disrupted by COVID-19
Let's Get This Straight:
COVID-19 has been linked to several neurological symptoms, and researchers are exploring how the virus affects the brain. According to a review of studies published in the journal Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy, electrocerebral activity tests like EEG demonstrate abnormalities in the brains of patients with COVID-19, particularly in the frontal lobes.
The Scoop:
Approximately 15-25% of patients with severe COVID-19 experience neurological symptoms, including headaches, confusion, and seizures. Analyzing EEG results from 617 patients, researchers found that common findings included slowing of brain waves and abnormal electrical discharges.
EEG Abnormalities and COVID-19:
The extent of these EEG abnormalities appears to correlate with the severity of the disease and the presence of preexisting neurological conditions. According to Dr. Zulfi Haneef, assistant professor of neurology/neurophysiology at Baylor, "These findings tell us that we need to try EEG on a wider range of patients, as well as other types of brain imaging, that will give us a closer look at the frontal lobe."
The Virus isn't completely to Blame:
However, it's crucial to note that the virus may not be directly responsible for all the damage. Systemic effects of the infection, such as inflammation, low oxygen levels, and cardiac arrest, may play a role in EEG abnormalities that extend beyond the frontal lobes.
Long COVID and Brain Fog:
Some recovering COVID-19 patients report ongoing health issues, called long COVID. Among these is "brain fog." A recent study found that individuals who claim to have had COVID performed poorly on a cognitive test compared to those who did not believe they contracted the virus. Experts suggest that this cross-sectional study does not provide definitive proof of long-term cognitive decline but does raise concerns about lasting effects on the brain.
A Glimmer of Hope:
Despite the concerns, the study also found that 56.8% of patients showed improvements during follow-up EEG tests. However, the analysis had limitations, and further research is necessary to better understand the relationship between COVID-19 and EEG abnormalities. If you're concerned about neurological symptoms related to COVID-19, consult your healthcare provider for professional guidance.
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TL;DR:Research suggests that electrocerebral activity tests, like EEG, show abnormalities in the brains of patients with COVID-19, particularly in the frontal lobes. The virus may not be completely to blame, as systemic effects of the infection can contribute to EEG abnormalities beyond the frontal lobes. Long COVID, or ongoing health issues, including brain fog, has raised concerns about the impact of COVID-19 on the brain. Consult your healthcare provider for professional guidance if you have concerns about neurological symptoms related to COVID-19.
- The coronavirus, COVID-19, has been associated with neurological symptoms like seizures, headaches, and confusion in about 15-25% of severe cases.
- EEG abnormalities, such as slowing of brain waves and abnormal electrical discharges, are common in COVID-19 patients, and these abnormalities appear to correlate with the severity of the disease and the presence of pre-existing neurological conditions.
- Apart from COVID-19, systemic effects of the infection, including inflammation, low oxygen levels, and cardiac arrest, may also contribute to EEG abnormalities that extend beyond the frontal lobes, suggesting that the virus may not be fully responsible for all the damage.
