Brain's Frontal Lobes Electrical Activity Can Be Affected by COVID-19
Let's Take a Look at COVID-19 and Its Impact on the Brain
COVID-19 has been making waves, not just for its respiratory symptoms, but also for its neurological effects. Research is pouring in, and it's clear that brain impairment can occur, even in patients who haven't been hospitalized.
Neurological Symptoms and EEG Abnormalities
One of the intriguing aspects of COVID-19 is the variety of neurological symptoms it can cause, such as headaches, confusion, and seizures. To delve deeper, doctors often use an EEG (Electroencephalography) test, which measures the electrical activity of the brain.
Researchers from Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh analyzed EEG results from 617 patients across 84 studies. The findings? A significant portion of these patients showed EEG abnormalities, particularly in the frontal lobes.
The Link Between COVID and the Frontal Lobes
You might be wondering, why would COVID-19 affect the frontal lobes? Dr. Zulfi Haneef, an assistant professor of neurology/neurophysiology at Baylor, offers an intriguing perspective. "Given that the most likely entry point for the virus is the nose, it seems plausible that the frontal lobe, which is located directly adjacent to that entry point, could be affected," he explains.
More Than Just the Virus
However, it's important to note that the virus may not be solely responsible for these EEG abnormalities. Systemic effects of the infection, such as inflammation, low oxygen levels, and cardiac arrest, could also play a role.
Long-Term Effects: Brain Fog and Beyond
Some individuals who've recovered from COVID-19 report ongoing health issues, often labeled as "long COVID." Among these issues is "brain fog." A recent study suggests that the infection may lead to significant cognitive decline, similar to aging a decade. This, combined with the EEG abnormalities associated with COVID-19, raises concerns about long-term neurological effects.
On a positive note, improvements have been observed in some patients after follow-up EEG tests. However, more research is needed to fully understand the long-term impact of COVID-19 on the brain.
COVID-19, beyond its respiratory symptoms, has been linked to neurological effects, including seizures and EEG abnormalities. Research conducted by doctors at Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh found that a considerable number of patients showed EEG abnormalities, particularly in the frontal lobes. Dr. Zulfi Haneef, an assistant professor at Baylor, posits that this could be due to the virus's likely entry point being the nose, located close to the frontal lobe. However, the virus might not be the sole cause, as systemic effects such as inflammation, low oxygen levels, and cardiac arrest could also play a role. Ongoing health issues reported by recovered COVID-19 patients, referred to as "long COVID," include brain fog, which some studies suggest could lead to significant cognitive decline akin to aging a decade. The interlinking EEG abnormalities and long-term neurological effects raise concerns, but improvements have been observed in some patients after follow-up EEG tests, emphasizing the need for more research to fully comprehend COVID-19's long-term impact on brain health.
