Unraveling the Impact of COVID-19 on the Brain: An EEG Review
Brain's Frontal Lobes Disruption Possible due to COVID-19
Gather 'round folks, let's delve into some intriguing findings about how COVID-19 affects our noodle! A recent review suggests that an unusual whirl in the frontal lobe of the brain, detected by electroencephalography (EEG) tests, is a common occurrence among patients who show neurological symptoms related to COVID-19.
COVID-19 and Neurological Symptoms
Approximately 15-25% of patients with severe COVID-19 may experience neurological symptoms, that range from headaches and confusion to seizures and strokes. To get a closer look at the brain, doctors might refer patients experiencing these symptoms for an EEG test. This test involves sticking some electrodes on the scalp to keep tabs on the brain's electrical shenanigans.
The Research Uncovers Abnormalities
Researchers from two prestigious institutions, Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX, and the University of Pittsburgh, PA, pumped through the EEG test results of a whopping 617 patients, accounting for 84 different studies.
The average age of these patients was a robust 61.3 years, with fellas making up a whopping 2 out of 3 of the Buddies in this Case Study. The researchers found that the most frequent findings were the slowing of brain waves and abnormal electrical discharges.
Interestingly, the severity of the disease and any preexisting neurological conditions, like epilepsy, appeared to amplify these EEG abnormalities.
The Brain's Frontal Lobe: COVID-19's Craziest Party Spot?
"Now, we know that the most likely entry point for the virus is the nose, and since the frontal lobe is located right next to that, it appears that the virus might be having a bit of a shindig up there," says Dr. Zulfi Haneef, assistant professor of neurology/neurophysiology at Baylor and one of the study's co-authors.
What About the Rest of the Brain?
Although the virus might seem to be causing the most mischief in the frontal lobe, it's important to note that it may not be solely responsible. Other factors, like inflammation, low oxygen levels, "sticky" blood, and even cardiac arrest, might be contributing to the EEG abnormalities that pop up in other regions.
The Buzz on Brain Fog
Some people who recover from COVID-19 report ongoing health problems, affectionately dubbed 'long COVID.' Among these is a pesky condition called 'brain fog.' A recent study hinted that the infection might have aged people, cognitively, by around a decade.
Although this study is yet to pass peer review, various experts have expressed concern about long-term effects on the brain.
"With EEG abnormalities linked to the neurological symptoms of COVID-19, these concerns are only amplified," says Dr. Haneef. "It seems like things might not go back to normal as quickly as we'd like."
The Bright Side
On the flip side, the study revealed that 56.8% of patients who underwent follow-up EEG tests showed improvements.
Limitations and Considerations
The researchers acknowledged that their analysis had its limitations, including the lack of access to raw data from individual studies and potential misreporting of normal EEGs, as well as the administration of anti-seizure medications obscuring possible signs of seizures in EEG traces.
Fact-Checking Corner: Long COVID and EEG Abnormalities
Statistics highlight that around 15-25% of patients with severe COVID-19 may experience neurological symptoms such as headaches, confusion, delirium, impaired consciousness, seizures, and strokes. EEG tests may be used to investigate these symptoms, and research suggests that these abnormalities are relatively common among these patients, regarding broader inflammatory and degenerative processes occurring within the brain.
Additionally, 'long COVID' refers to persistent symptoms observed in individuals who have recovered from the initial infection, such as brain fog, fatigue, and respiratory problems. A recent study found that individuals who claim to have had COVID-19 performed less well on a cognitive test than those who did not believe they had contracted the virus. Although this study has not undergone peer review, it underscores concerns about long-term effects on the brain.
- Neurological symptoms, such as seizures and strokes, are experienced by approximately 15-25% of patients with severe COVID-19, highlighting the need for EEG tests to investigate these symptoms.
- EEG abnormalities, including slowing of brain waves and abnormal electrical discharges, are commonly found in COVID-19 patients with neurological symptoms, according to a review of 617 patients' EEG test results.
- The severity of COVID-19 and any preexisting neurological conditions, like epilepsy, appear to amplify these EEG abnormalities.
- The frontal lobe of the brain seems to be a key area of concern, with Dr. Zulfi Haneef suggesting that the virus might be having a "shindig" there due to its proximity to the nose.
- However, other factors such as inflammation, low oxygen levels, "sticky" blood, and even cardiac arrest might be contributing to EEG abnormalities in other regions of the brain.
- 'Long COVID,' a condition characterized by persistent symptoms like brain fog and fatigue, raises concerns about the long-term effects of COVID-19 on the brain, as EEG abnormalities have been linked to neurological symptoms of the infection.
