Brain's frontal lobes may experience electrical disruptions due to COVID-19 infection
Here's a fresh take on the article about how COVID-19 impacts the brain, focusing on EEG test findings among patients:
COVID-19 and the Brain: Unraveling the Enigma
Props to researchers at Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh for digging into the mind-b boggling effects of COVID-19 on the ol' noodle. Their study, published in the journal Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy, had 'em snooping through 617 EEG test results from patients across 84 different studies.
A third of the brain's frontal lobe abnormalities seemed to be the story of the tale. Dr. Zulfi Haneef, an assistant professor of neurology/neurophysiology at Baylor, reckons this could be because the virus typically invades through the nose, nestled right next to the frontal lobe.
Quite a few patients displayed signs of "diffuse slowing" in their brain's electrical activity, suggesting potential brain dysfunction or inflammation – sounds grim, right? But, don't get too put off just yet. Over half of the patients showed some improvements when they had follow-up EEG tests, which is a glimmer of hope for those battling the long-haul effects of COVID-19.
Mind you, it ain't all on the virus. Systemic issues like inflammation, low oxygen levels, abnormal blood clotting, and even heart problems can contribute to EEG abnormalities that go beyond the frontal lobe.
Lasting effects on the brain, like "brain fog," have been a growing concern among those who've recovered from COVID-19. A recent study found that recovery folks underperformed on a cognitive test compared to those who didn't think they had the virus. The study hasn't been fully vetted yet, but it does hint at some lasting impact on the brain's noggin.
Dr. Haneef highlights that these findings fuel concerns about long-term issues for survivors, but, on the bright side, improvements have been seen in more than half of the patients who had follow-up EEG tests.
Take note that the research had its fair share of limitations, including limited access to individual study data, as well as potential skewing of the results due to an overemphasis on testing patients with neurological symptoms. Additionally, doctors may have falsely attributed EEG abnormalities to seizures when administering anti-seizure meds.
Always remember, the latest information on COVID-19 prevention, treatment, and research can be found in our COVID-19 hub!
Enrichment data:
- EEG abnormalities in COVID-19 patients can include changes in brain wave patterns, such as the presence of slow waves (e.g., theta and delta waves) and reduced alpha wave activity, which can be associated with encephalopathy or other neurological conditions.
- These changes might reflect brain dysfunction or inflammation, which could be linked to the severity of COVID-19. However, a direct link between EEG patterns in the frontal lobes and COVID-19 severity is not explicitly detailed in the available literature and would require further research.
- The research on COVID-19's impact on the brain suggests that EEG test findings among patients often reveal abnormalities, which could be linked to brain dysfunction or inflammation.
- A third of the brain's frontal lobe abnormalities observed in COVID-19 patients might be due to the virus invading through the nose, near the frontal lobe.
- According to the study, some patients display 'diffuse slowing' in their brain's electrical activity, a potential indicator of neurological medical-conditions or health-and-wellness issues.
- Lingering effects on the brain, such as 'brain fog,' have been a concern among COVID-19 survivors, with recent research indicating that recovery patients may underperform on cognitive tests compared to non-infected individuals.
