Unmasking the Link Between COVID-19 and Brain Abnormalities
Brain's Frontal Lobes Electrical Activity Disrupted due to COVID-19
Let's dive into the intriguing world of neuroscience and COVID-19, uncovering the potential connections between the virus and abnormalities in the brain, as revealed by electroencephalography (EEG) tests.
The Scoop on COVID-19 Neurological Symptoms
Approximately 15-25% of patients grappling with severe COVID-19 experience a multitude of neurological symptoms, according to estimates that we've gathered. These symptoms can include everything from headaches and confusion to delirium, impaired consciousness, seizures, and even strokes.
EEGs: Peering into the Brain's Electrical Activity
When assistance from the medical profession is sought due to these neurological symptoms, the specialists may order EEG tests. These non-invasive procedures involve the careful placement of electrodes on the scalp to monitor the brain's electrical activity.
Unraveling the Brain's Mysteries with EEGs
Researchers from Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh recently teamed up to investigate the impacts of COVID-19 on the brain by analyzing EEG results from 617 patients collated from 84 different studies. The study featured a predominantly male participant base with an average age of 61.3 years.
The Focal Point: Abnormalities in the Frontal Lobes
Sticking to the script, the research team pinpointed several abnormalities in the brain waves and electrical discharges, with nearly a third of these abnormalities found in the frontal lobes - intriguingly situated right next to the virus's presumed entry point in the nose.
Stepping Back – Could Other Factors Decrease?
Although COVID-19 may be the culprit behind the aforementioned abnormalities, the study authors cautioned that systemic effects of the infection, including inflammation, low oxygen levels, sticky blood, and cardiac arrest, might also contribute to EEG irregularities that stretch beyond the frontal lobes.
The Whole-Brain Picture: Diffuse Slowings
The researchers found "diffuse slowing" in the background electrical activity of the entire brain in almost 70% of patients, pointing to a broader brain impact unfolding at the ground level.
The Long Haul: COVID-19 and Post-Recovery Cognitive Problems
Some individuals who recover from COVID-19 are grappling with various lingering health issues, recently dubbed "long COVID." A significant number of these individuals are reporting problems related to cognition, often referred to as "brain fog."
On the Horizon: Long-Term Brain Concerns
A recent, yet-to-be-peer-reviewed study suggests that those who claim to have had COVID-19 may underperform on cognitive tests compared to healthy individuals. However, this evidence doesn't definitively prove that the infection brings about long-term cognitive decline.
A Hint at the Long-Term Impacts: The Role of EEG Abnormalities
Despite the inconclusive nature of the aforementioned study, Dr. Zulfi Haneef, a co-author of the COVID-19 EEG study, sees a possible connection between EEG abnormalities and neurological symptoms, strengthening concerns about long-term effects on the brain.
A Silver Lining in the Studies
On a hopeful note, the study authors reported that over half (56.8%) of patients with follow-up EEG tests demonstrated improvements, albeit with certain limitations in the research, such as lack of access to raw data, omitted normal EEGs, and potential skewing of results due to disproportionate EEG testing on patients with neurological symptoms.
- BrainPhysics Research Hub
- Academic Research on COVID-19 Neurological Impacts
- Neurology News on COVID-19 and the Brain
- Neuroinflammation, Oxidative Stress and COVID-19
- The COVID-19 pandemic has shed light on potential connections between the virus and neurological conditions, such as seizures, highlighting the importance of ongoing medical-conditions research and monitoring in health-and-wellness studies.
- As more research is conducted on COVID-19, a growing body of evidence suggests that the coronavirus may be linked to various neurological disorders, including epilepsy seizures and other neurological abnormalities in the brain, fueling the need for further investigation in the field of neurology.
- The exploration of COVID-19's impact on the brain continues, with research revealing that the virus might have long-term consequences on brain function, potentially contributing to cognitive impairments that persist after recovery, emphasizing the importance of understanding and managing these health issues in the context of the covid pandemic.
