COVID-19 can potentially interfere with electrical functions in the frontal regions of the brain.
A recent study out of Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh puts a spotlight on potential neurological issues associated with COVID-19, with a particular emphasis on the frontal lobes of the brain.
In a comprehensive analysis of EEG (electroencephalography) results from 617 patients, researchers discovered a slew of disturbing findings.
One-third of the abnormalities were concentrated in the frontal lobes, sparking speculation about the connection between the viral entry point in the nasal cavity and the location of the frontal lobes adjacent to it.
According to Dr. Zulfi Haneef, an assistant professor of neurology/neurophysiology at Baylor and one of the study's co-authors, this finding suggests that EEG tests and other brain imaging techniques should be employed more widely to assess the effects of COVID-19 on the brain.
However, it's essential to clarify that the virus may not be directly responsible for all the damage. Systemic effects of the infection, such as inflammation, low oxygen levels, abnormal blood clotting, and cardiac arrest, could also contribute to EEG abnormalities extending beyond the frontal lobes.
The study also noted "diffuse slowing" in the background electrical activity of the whole brain in almost 70% of patients, which might be indicative of more widespread neurological impairment.
The emergence of long-COVID, a set of ongoing health problems experienced by some individuals who have recovered from the infection, sheds light on the potential for long-term neurological consequences. Among these issues is "brain fog," a condition characterized by cognitive impairments and difficulties with concentration.
Recent research, though not peer-reviewed, suggests that the cognitive decline associated with long-COVID might be equivalent to around ten years of ageing [1]. This discovery only strengthens concerns about the potential long-term consequences of COVID-19 on the brain.
"The findings tell us that there might be long-term issues, which is something we have suspected, and now we are finding more evidence to back that up," says Dr. Haneef [1].
On a positive note, the study reported that over half of those who underwent follow-up EEG tests showed significant improvements. The authors acknowledge several limitations in their analysis, including lack of access to raw data, potential reporting biases, and the possibility that anti-seizure medications may have obscured signs of seizures in EEG traces.
Despite these limitations, the study adds valuable insights to our understanding of the interplay between COVID-19, the brain, and neurological symptoms. Further research will be necessary to unravel the complexities of this mysterious relationship and the potential long-term effects on individuals who have recovered from the infection.
References
[1] Medical Xpress. (2021). COVID-19 could affect the brain more than we thought: Study. Retrieved from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2021-04-covid-affect-brain-covid-19-coronavirus.html[2] New York Times. (2021). Some People Who Recover From Covid-19 Still Suffer Brain Fog. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/18/health/covid-memory-loss-brain-fog.html[3] Science Media Centre. (2021). COVID-19 and the long-term effects on the brain. Retrieved from https://www.sciencemediacentre.org/expert-reaction-to-peer-reviewed-study--long-term-cognitive-consequences-of-covid-19--loom/[4] NCBI. (2020). Central Nervous System Manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Case Series in New York City. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7526398/[5] NCBI. (2020). Neurological Manifestations of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): An Overview. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7260274/
- The study discovered that one-third of the abnormalities in EEG results were concentrated in the frontal lobes, hinting at a potential link between the coronavirus's entry point in the nasal cavity and the location of the frontal lobes.
- Recent research suggests that the cognitive decline associated with long-COVID, a set of ongoing health problems, might be equivalent to approximately ten years of ageing, which raises concerns about the potential long-term consequences of COVID-19 on neurological conditions such as epilepsy seizures and other neurological disorders.
- The research also highlighted that scientists should pay attention to the health-and-wellness implications of COVID-19 on the brain, as the findings suggest that there might be long-term issues related to medical-conditions like cognition impairment and brain fog.
