COVID-19 and the Brain: Abnormalities Revealed by EEG Tests
Brain's Frontal Lobes' Electrical Activity Potentially Affected by COVID-19
Let's dive into the fascinating world of neuroscience and see how COVID-19 is impacting our brain functioning. A recent review of research indicates that patients battling neurological symptoms caused by COVID-19 often exhibit abnormalities in their brains, as detected by electroencephalography (EEG) tests.
Here's the lowdown on what we know so far:
The Scope of the Issue
Approximately 15-25% of patients grappling with severe COVID-19 may experience neurological symptoms, such as headaches, confusion, seizures, and strokes [source: coronavirus hub]. These individuals might be referred for an EEG test, which involves placing electrodes on the scalp to monitor the electrical activity of the brain.
COVID-19's Effect on the Brain
Researchers from Baylor College of Medicine in Texas and the University of Pittsburgh analyzed EEG results from 617 patients across 84 studies to investigate how COVID-19 affects the brain. The majority of these patients were males with a median age of 61.3 years [source: coronavirus resources].
The research uncovered some striking findings: approximately one-third of the abnormalities were in the frontal lobes of the brain, and the extent of EEG abnormalities correlated positively with the severity of the disease and any pre-existing neurological conditions [source: coronavirus resources].
Beyond the Frontal Lobes
While the virus might not be directly responsible for all the damage, systemic effects of the infection, such as inflammation, low oxygen levels, and unexplained cardiac arrest, may play a role in EEG abnormalities that extend beyond the frontal lobes [source: coronavirus resources].
Long COVID and Brain Fog
Some people experiencing lingering health problems after recovering from COVID-19 report symptoms like brain fog [source: coronavirus resources]. A study found that individuals who claim to have had COVID performed less well on an online cognitive test compared to those who did not believe they had contracted the virus [source: Science Media Centre].
According to experts, this cross-sectional study does not prove that the infection caused long-term cognitive decline, but it does point to concerns about long-lasting effects on the brain [source: Science Media Centre].
A Glimmer of Hope
The good news is that 56.8% of patients with follow-up EEG tests showed improvements [source: coronavirus resources]. However, the analysis did have some limitations, including lack of access to raw data, potential omission of many normal EEGs, and the administration of anti-seizure medications obscuring signs of seizures in EEG traces [source: coronavirus resources].
Looking Ahead
Further research is needed to understand the specific prevalence and correlation between EEG abnormalities and factors like disease severity and pre-existing conditions. As COVID-19 continues to pose challenges, it's essential to keep studying its effects on the brain and exploring ways to mitigate any potential long-term consequences.
- Given the findings from EEG tests, it is evident that COVID-19 may cause neurological symptoms such as seizures and strokes in approximately 15-25% of severe cases.
- Researchers have discovered that approximately one-third of COVID-19 patients exhibiting abnormalities in their brains have these abnormalities in the frontal lobes.
- Beyond the frontal lobes, systemic effects of COVID-19, including inflammation, low oxygen levels, and cardiac arrest, could potentially contribute to EEG abnormalities in various parts of the brain.
- Some individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 report experiencing brain fog, and preliminary studies suggest these individuals may perform worse on cognitive tests compared to non-infected counterparts, indicating potential long-term impacts on mental health and neurological disorders.
