Brain's Frontal Lobes Electrical Activity Potentially Affected by COVID-19

Brain's Frontal Lobes Electrical Activity Potentially Affected by COVID-19

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A new review of studies suggests that neurological complications related to COVID-19 are more common than previously thought, and they might be linked to abnormalities in your brain picked up by EEG tests. Here's what you need to know.

The Nose Knows: COVID-19 and Brain Abnormalities

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX, and the University of Pittsburgh, PA, analyzed EEG results from 617 patients with COVID-19, reported in 84 different studies. Around a third of the patients showed abnormal findings, primarily in the frontal lobes of the brain.

"The most likely entry point for the virus is the nose," says Dr. Zulfi Haneef, assistant professor of neurology/neurophysiology at Baylor and one of the study's co-authors. "These findings tell us that we need to try EEG on a wider range of patients, as well as other types of brain imaging, such as MRI or CT scans, that will give us a closer look at the frontal lobe."

The Virus isn't the Only Suspect

The researchers noted that the virus may not be directly responsible for all the damage. Systemic effects of the infection, such as inflammation, low oxygen levels, unusually "sticky" blood, and cardiac arrest, may play a role in EEG abnormalities that extend beyond the frontal lobes.

"Brain Fog" and Long-Term Effects

Some people who have recovered from COVID-19 report ongoing health problems, now labeled "long COVID." Among these is "brain fog." A recent study found that individuals who claim to have had COVID performed less well on an online cognitive test than those who did not believe they had contracted the virus.

Given the EEG abnormalities associated with COVID-19, these findings raise concerns about the potential for long-term effects on the brain.

"A lot of people think they will get the illness, get well, and everything will go back to normal," says Dr. Haneef, "but these 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."

On the positive side, the authors report that 56.8% of those who had follow-up EEG tests showed improvements.

Keep Watch and Seek Help

If you experience neurological symptoms such as headaches, confusion, or delirium while battling COVID-19, don't hesitate to ask your doctor for an EEG test. And, if you recover but experience ongoing symptoms like "brain fog," it's worth discussing with your healthcare provider.

For more advice on COVID-19 prevention and treatment, visit our coronavirus hub.

1. The study on neurological complications related to COVID-19 suggests that epilepsy seizures and other abnormalities might be linked to abnormalities in the brain, as picked up by EEG tests.
2. Research indicates that despite coronavirus being the primary suspect, systemic effects of the infection such as inflammation, low oxygen levels, and cardiac arrest could also contribute to EEG abnormalities.
3. Long-term effects on mental health and cognitive function, including 'brain fog', are a growing concern due to the EEG abnormalities associated with COVID-19.
4. The prevention and treatment of COVID-19 should not overlook the importance of maintaining health-and-wellness, including mental health, sleep, nutrition, and fitness-and-exercise, especially as aging can worsen the symptoms of neurological disorders.
5. CBD, a compound known for its potential neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties, might provide some relief for people dealing with epilepsy seizures, brain fog, and other neurological conditions related to COVID-19.
6. Given the increased prevalence of neurological complications related to COVID-19, it is crucial for medical-conditions related to the brain to become a priority in health-and-wellness discussions and for patients to keep a watch on their neurological health and seek help when needed.

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