Brain's Frontal Lobes' Electrical Activity Disrupted by COVID-19
COVID-19's effect on the brain remains a hot topic in research, with a focus on neurological complications and potential cognitive impairments.
Approximately 15-25% of severe COVID-19 patients experience neurological symptoms, such as headaches, confusion, seizures, and strokes. To investigate, doctors often refer patients for an EEG test, where electrodes are placed on the scalp to monitor brain electrical activity.
A study by researchers from Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh analyzed EEG results from 617 patients, finding that the frontal lobes had the most frequent abnormalities.
According to Dr. Zulfi Haneef, a co-author of the study, "the most likely entry point for the virus is the nose, so there seems to be a connection" between the frontal lobes and COVID-19. The researchers cautioned that the virus may not be solely responsible for all the damage, as systemic effects of the infection could also contribute to EEG abnormalities.
Other brain imaging methods, such as MRI or CT scans, might provide a closer look at the frontal lobe to further explore the virus's impact.
In some individuals recovering from COVID-19, health problems like "brain fog" have been reported, collectively known as "long COVID." A recent study found that people who claimed to have had COVID performed poorly on an online cognitive test, potentially indicating age-related cognitive decline.
Dr. Haneef added that the presence of EEG abnormalities associated with COVID-19 neurological symptoms supports concerns about long-term effects on the brain. However, the authors reported improvements in 56.8% of patients with follow-up EEG tests.
Though direct links between COVID-19 and frontal lobe EEG abnormalities are not explicitly established, understanding the potential cognitive effects is essential. If you're concerned about your health, discuss symptoms and potential testing with your doctor.
- The coronavirus, specifically in severe cases of COVID-19, has been linked to neurological complications such as seizures, headaches, and strokes, with a study finding the frontal lobes as the most frequent site of abnormalities.
- The study conducted by doctors from Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh suggests that the novel coronavirus might enter the brain via the nose, potentially causing damage to the frontal lobes.
- Additionally, some individuals recovering from COVID-19 have reported health issues like "brain fog," collectively known as "long COVID." This condition may be related to cognitive impairments, as a recent study found that those who claimed to have had COVID-19 performed poorly on an online cognitive test.
- It's essential to understand the potential cognitive effects of COVID-19, as EEG abnormalities associated with COVID-19 neurological symptoms may imply long-term impacts on the brain. If you are concerned about your health, discuss symptoms and potential testing with your doctor.
