COVID-19's Impact on the Brain: Altered Electrical Activity Found in Frontal Lobes
Research Indicates Increased Brain Abnormalities in COVID-19 Patients with Neurological Symptoms
A new review of research indicates that patients exhibiting neurological symptoms related to COVID-19 often display abnormalities in the front of the brain, as revealed by electroencephalography (EEG) tests. The review, published in the journal Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy, analyzed results from 617 patients, reported in 84 different studies.
While the exact number of COVID-19 patients experiencing neurological symptoms varies, estimates suggest that approximately 15-25% of patients with severe COVID-19 may experience symptoms such as headaches, confusion, delirium, impaired consciousness, seizures, and strokes. Doctors may refer such patients for an EEG test, which involves placing electrodes on the scalp to monitor brain activity.
The researchers, representing Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX, and the University of Pittsburgh, PA, explored how COVID-19 might affect the human brain. They found that slowing of brain waves and abnormal electrical discharges were the most common findings.
Interestingly, the extent of the EEG abnormalities seemed to correlate with the severity of the disease and the presence of preexisting neurological conditions, such as epilepsy. Around a third of the identified abnormalities were in the frontal lobes of the brain, leading researchers to speculate that this area, located close to the virus's likely entry point (the nose), might be particularly vulnerable.
However, the researchers also noted that the virus may not be directly responsible for all the observed damage. Systemic effects of the infection, such as inflammation, low oxygen levels, and changes in blood properties, could play a role in EEG abnormalities that extend beyond the frontal lobes.
One concerning long-term health issue associated with COVID-19 is the persistent cognitive impairments and neurological complications often referred to as "long COVID." A recent study, though not yet peer-reviewed, found that individuals who claimed to have had COVID-19 performed less well on an online cognitive test than those who did not think they had contracted the virus. Researchers noted that this suggests potential long-term cognitive decline due to the infection.
Dr. Zulfi Haneef, assistant professor of neurology/neurophysiology at Baylor and one of the study's co-authors, explains the significance of the EEG findings in relation to ongoing concerns about the brain's long-term health. "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." Despite the insights gained from this analysis, the authors acknowledged several limitations, such as limited access to raw data, the possibility of omitted normal EEG reports, and the potential effects of medications on EEG traces.
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- The research suggests that COVID-19 patients with neurological symptoms might exhibit abnormalities in the frontal part of the brain, which can be detected through EEG tests.
- A significant number of COVID-19 patients with severe symptoms may experience neurological conditions such as headaches, seizures, and strokes, which could lead to an EEG test.
- The severity of EEG abnormalities in COVID-19 patients seems to correlate with the severity of the disease and the presence of preexisting neurological conditions like epilepsy.
- The long-term health issue associated with COVID-19 includes persistent cognitive impairments and neurological complications, often referred to as "long COVID," which might result in potential long-term cognitive decline due to the infection.
