1
|
Babiloni C, Gentilini Cacciola E, Tucci F, Vassalini P, Chilovi A, Jakhar D, Musat AM, Salvatore M, Soricelli A, Stocchi F, Vacca L, Ferri R, Catania V, Mastroianni C, D'Ettorre G, Noce G. Resting-state EEG rhythms are abnormal in post COVID-19 patients with brain fog without cognitive and affective disorders. Clin Neurophysiol 2024; 161:159-172. [PMID: 38492271 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2024.02.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Several persons experiencing post-covid-19 (post-COVID) with "brain fog" (e.g., fatigue, cognitive and psychiatric disorders, etc.) show abnormal resting-state electroencephalographic (rsEEG) rhythms reflecting a vigilance dysfunction. Here, we tested the hypothesis that in those post-COVID persons, abnormal rsEEG rhythms may occur even when cognitive and psychiatric disorders are absent. METHODS The experiments were performed on post-COVID participants about one year after hospitalization for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Inclusion criteria included a "brain fog" claim, no pre-infection, and actual organic chronic disease. Matched controls (no COVID) were also enrolled. All participants underwent clinical/neuropsychological assessment (including fatigue assessment) and rsEEG recordings. The eLORETA freeware estimated regional rsEEG cortical sources at individual delta (<4 Hz), theta (4-7 Hz), and alpha (8-13 Hz) bands. Beta (14-30 Hz) and gamma (30-40 Hz) bands were pre-fixed. RESULTS More than 90% of all post-COVID participants showed no cognitive or psychiatric disorders, and 75% showed ≥ 2 fatigue symptoms. The post-COVID group globally presented lower posterior rsEEG alpha source activities than the Control group. This effect was more significant in the long COVID-19 patients with ≥ 2 fatigue symptoms. CONCLUSIONS In post-COVID patients with no chronic diseases and cognitive/psychiatric disorders, "brain fog" can be associated with abnormal posterior rsEEG alpha rhythms and subjective fatigue. SIGNIFICANCE These abnormalities may be related to vigilance and allostatic dysfunctions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Babiloni
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "Erspamer," Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy; Hospital San Raffaele Cassino, Cassino, FR, Italy.
| | - Elio Gentilini Cacciola
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Umberto I Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Federico Tucci
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "Erspamer," Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Vassalini
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Umberto I Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Agnese Chilovi
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Umberto I Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Dharmendra Jakhar
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "Erspamer," Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Andreea Maria Musat
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "Erspamer," Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Soricelli
- IRCCS Synlab SDN, Naples, Italy; Department of Medical, Movement and Wellbeing Sciences, University of Naples Parthenope, Naples, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Stocchi
- IRCCS San Raffaele Rome, Rome, Italy; Telematic University San Raffaele, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Claudio Mastroianni
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Umberto I Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriella D'Ettorre
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Umberto I Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Sarıoğlu E, Sarıaltın SY, Çoban T. Neurological complications and effects of COVID-19: Symptoms and conceivable mechanisms. BRAIN HEMORRHAGES 2023; 4:154-173. [PMID: 36789140 PMCID: PMC9911160 DOI: 10.1016/j.hest.2023.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
A novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was first identified in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. The new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) in March 2020. SARS-CoV-2 can invade the nervous system aside from infecting the respiratory system as its primary target. The most common nervous system symptoms of COVID-19 are stated as headache, myalgia, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, sudden and unexplained anosmia, and ageusia. More severe conditions such as encephalomyelitis, acute myelitis, thromboembolic events, ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, Guillain-Barré-syndrome, Bell's palsy, rhabdomyolysis, and even coma have also been reported. Cohort studies revealed that neurological findings are associated with higher morbidity and mortality. The neurological symptoms and manifestations caused by SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 are examined and summarized in this article.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elif Sarıoğlu
- Ankara University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Toxicology, 06560 Ankara, Turkey
| | - Sezen Yılmaz Sarıaltın
- Ankara University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Toxicology, 06560 Ankara, Turkey
| | - Tülay Çoban
- Ankara University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Toxicology, 06560 Ankara, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ousseiran ZH, Fares Y, Chamoun WT. Neurological manifestations of COVID-19: a systematic review and detailed comprehension. Int J Neurosci 2023; 133:754-769. [PMID: 34433369 PMCID: PMC8506813 DOI: 10.1080/00207454.2021.1973000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The current pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is accompanied with a rapid increase of reports and papers detailing its neurological effects and symptoms. The virus infection causes respiratory illness named by the world health organization as corona virus 19 (COVID-19).This systematic review aims to study and summarize the different neurological manifestations of this virus. All articles published and indexed via Pubmed, Medline and Google Scholar databases between January 1st 2020 and February 28th 2021 that reported neurological symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 are reviewed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systemic review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines.We included data from 113 articles: eight prospective studies, 25 retrospective studies and the rest were case reports/series. COVID-19 can present with central nervous system manifestations, such as headache, encephalitis and encephalopathy, peripheral nervous system manifestations, such as anosmia, ageusia and Guillian Barre syndrome, and skeletal muscle manifestations, such as myalgia and myasthenia gravis. Our systematic review showed that COVID-19 can be manifested by a wide spectrum of neurological symptoms reported either in the early stage or within the course of the disease. However, a detailed comprehension of these manifestations is required and more studies are needed in order to improve our scientific knowledge and to develop preventive and therapeutic measures to control this pandemic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zeina Hassan Ousseiran
- Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Youssef Fares
- Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Wafaa Takash Chamoun
- Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Valsamis H, Baki SA, Leung J, Ghosn S, Lapin B, Chari G, Rasheed IY, Park J, Punia V, Masri G, Nair D, Kaniecki AM, Edhi M, Saab CY. SARS-CoV-2 alters neural synchronies in the brain with more severe effects in younger individuals. Sci Rep 2023; 13:2942. [PMID: 36807586 PMCID: PMC9940054 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-29856-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease secondary to infection by SARS-CoV-2 (COVID19 or C19) causes respiratory illness, as well as severe neurological symptoms that have not been fully characterized. In a previous study, we developed a computational pipeline for the automated, rapid, high-throughput and objective analysis of electroencephalography (EEG) rhythms. In this retrospective study, we used this pipeline to define the quantitative EEG changes in patients with a PCR-positive diagnosis of C19 (n = 31) in the intensive care unit (ICU) of Cleveland Clinic, compared to a group of age-matched PCR-negative (n = 38) control patients in the same ICU setting. Qualitative assessment of EEG by two independent teams of electroencephalographers confirmed prior reports with regards to the high prevalence of diffuse encephalopathy in C19 patients, although the diagnosis of encephalopathy was inconsistent between teams. Quantitative analysis of EEG showed distinct slowing of brain rhythms in C19 patients compared to control (enhanced delta power and attenuated alpha-beta power). Surprisingly, these C19-related changes in EEG power were more prominent in patients below age 70. Moreover, machine learning algorithms showed consistently higher accuracy in the binary classification of patients as C19 versus control using EEG power for subjects below age 70 compared to older ones, providing further evidence for the more severe impact of SARS-CoV-2 on brain rhythms in younger individuals irrespective of PCR diagnosis or symptomatology, and raising concerns over potential long-term effects of C19 on brain physiology in the adult population and the utility of EEG monitoring in C19 patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Helen Valsamis
- grid.415345.20000 0004 0451 974XKings County Hospital, Brooklyn, NY USA ,SUNY Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY USA
| | | | - Jason Leung
- grid.239578.20000 0001 0675 4725Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH USA
| | - Samer Ghosn
- grid.239578.20000 0001 0675 4725Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH USA
| | - Brittany Lapin
- grid.239578.20000 0001 0675 4725Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH USA
| | - Geetha Chari
- grid.415345.20000 0004 0451 974XKings County Hospital, Brooklyn, NY USA ,SUNY Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY USA
| | - Izad-Yar Rasheed
- grid.415345.20000 0004 0451 974XKings County Hospital, Brooklyn, NY USA
| | - Jaehan Park
- grid.415345.20000 0004 0451 974XKings County Hospital, Brooklyn, NY USA ,SUNY Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY USA
| | - Vineet Punia
- grid.239578.20000 0001 0675 4725Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH USA
| | - Ghinwa Masri
- grid.411365.40000 0001 2218 0143American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
| | - Dileep Nair
- grid.239578.20000 0001 0675 4725Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH USA
| | - Ann Marie Kaniecki
- grid.239578.20000 0001 0675 4725Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH USA
| | - Muhammad Edhi
- grid.239578.20000 0001 0675 4725Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH USA
| | - Carl Y. Saab
- grid.239578.20000 0001 0675 4725Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH USA ,grid.67105.350000 0001 2164 3847Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH USA ,grid.40263.330000 0004 1936 9094Brown University, Providence, RI USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Haykal MA, Menkes DL. The Clinical Neurophysiology of COVID-19- Direct Infection, Long-Term Sequelae and Para-Immunization responses: A literature review. Clin Neurophysiol Pract 2022; 8:3-11. [PMID: 36275861 PMCID: PMC9574576 DOI: 10.1016/j.cnp.2022.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic resulting from the SARS-CoV-2 virus is in its third year. There is continuously evolving information regarding its pathophysiology and its effects on the nervous system. Clinical neurophysiology techniques are commonly employed to assess for neuroanatomical localization and/or defining the spectrum of neurological illness. There is an evolving body of literature delineating the effects of the SARS-CoV-2 virus on the nervous system as well as para-immunization responses to vaccination against this virus. This review focuses on the use of neurophysiological diagnostic modalities in the evaluation of potential acute and long-term neurological complications in patients that experience direct infection with SARS-CoV-2 and analyzes those reports of para-immunization responses to vaccination against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The neurophysiological modalities to be discussed include electroencephalography (EEG), evoked potentials (EPs), nerve conduction studies and electromyography (EMG/NCV), autonomic function tests, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and Transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD).
Collapse
|
6
|
Flinspach AN, Zinn S, Zacharowski K, Balaban Ü, Herrmann E, Adam EH. Electroencephalogram-Based Evaluation of Impaired Sedation in Patients with Moderate to Severe COVID-19 ARDS. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11123494. [PMID: 35743572 PMCID: PMC9224742 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11123494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The sedation management of patients with severe COVID-19 is challenging. Processed electroencephalography (pEEG) has already been used for sedation management before COVID-19 in critical care, but its applicability in COVID-19 has not yet been investigated. We performed this prospective observational study to evaluate whether the patient sedation index (PSI) obtained via pEEG may adequately reflect sedation in ventilated COVID-19 patients. Statistical analysis was performed by linear regression analysis with mixed effects. We included data from 49 consecutive patients. None of the patients received neuromuscular blocking agents by the time of the measurement. The mean value of the PSI was 20 (±23). The suppression rate was determined to be 14% (±24%). A deep sedation equivalent to the Richmond Agitation and Sedation Scale of −3 to −4 (correlation expected PSI 25−50) in bedside examination was noted in 79.4% of the recordings. Linear regression analysis revealed a significant correlation between the sedative dosages of propofol, midazolam, clonidine, and sufentanil (p < 0.01) and the sedation index. Our results showed a distinct discrepancy between the RASS and the determined PSI. However, it remains unclear to what extent any discrepancy is due to the electrophysiological effects of neuroinflammation in terms of pEEG alteration, to the misinterpretation of spinal or vegetative reflexes during bedside evaluation, or to other causes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Armin Niklas Flinspach
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care Medicine and Pain Therapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany; (S.Z.); (K.Z.); (E.H.A.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-69-6301-5868
| | - Sebastian Zinn
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care Medicine and Pain Therapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany; (S.Z.); (K.Z.); (E.H.A.)
| | - Kai Zacharowski
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care Medicine and Pain Therapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany; (S.Z.); (K.Z.); (E.H.A.)
| | - Ümniye Balaban
- Department of Biostatistics and Mathematical Modelling, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany; (Ü.B.); (E.H.)
| | - Eva Herrmann
- Department of Biostatistics and Mathematical Modelling, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany; (Ü.B.); (E.H.)
| | - Elisabeth Hannah Adam
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care Medicine and Pain Therapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany; (S.Z.); (K.Z.); (E.H.A.)
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Milan A, Salles P, Pelayo C, Uribe-San-Martin R. Acute to Chronic Electro-Clinical Manifestations of Neuro-COVID and the Long-Haul Consequences in People With Epilepsy: A Review. Cureus 2022; 14:e26020. [PMID: 35865450 PMCID: PMC9293262 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.26020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) infection can involve the central nervous system (CNS). Acute symptomatic seizures or epileptiform discharges have not been commonly reported in patients with altered mental status related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. However, long-term neurological symptoms have been reported after COVID-19 infection (i.e., brain fog, cognitive complaints, and confusion), suggesting chronic encephalopathy. People with epilepsy (PWE) have been specifically affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with changes in their seizure frequency, quality of life, health care accessibility, and medication interactions. This narrative review highlights possible pathophysiological mechanisms of COVID-19 on the brain, related to short- and long-term epileptiform activity and the impact of this infection on PWE.
Collapse
|
8
|
Epilepsy and COVID 2021. Epilepsy Curr 2022; 22:398-403. [DOI: 10.1177/15357597221101268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus 19 (COVID-19) has infected over 400 million people worldwide. Although COVID-19 causes predominantly respiratory symptoms, it can affect other organs including the brain, producing neurological symptoms. People with epilepsy (PWE) have been particularly impacted during the pandemic with decreased access to care, increased stress, and worsening seizures in up to 22% of them probably due to multiple factors. COVID-19 vaccines were produced in a record short time and have yielded outstanding protection with very rare serious side effects. Studies have found that COVID-19 vaccination does not increase seizures in the majority of PWE. COVID-19 does not produce a pathognomonic EEG or seizure phenotype, but rather 1 that can be seen in other types of encephalopathy. COVID-19 infection and its complications can lead to seizures, status epilepticus and post-COVID inflammatory syndrome with potential multi-organ damage in people without pre-existing epilepsy. The lack of access to care during the pandemic has forced patients and doctors to rapidly implement telemedicine. The use of phone videos and smart telemedicine are helping to treat patients during this pandemic and are becoming standard of care. Investment in infrastructure is important to make sure patients can have access to care even during a pandemic.
Collapse
|
9
|
Sáez-Landete I, Gómez-Domínguez A, Estrella-León B, Díaz-Cid A, Fedirchyk O, Escribano-Muñoz M, Pedrera-Mazarro A, Martín-Palomeque G, Garcia-Ribas G, Rodríguez-Jorge F, Santos-Pérez G, Lourido-García D, Regidor-BaillyBailliere I. Retrospective Analysis of EEG in Patients With COVID-19: EEG Recording in Acute and Follow-up Phases. Clin EEG Neurosci 2022; 53:215-228. [PMID: 34319186 PMCID: PMC8958306 DOI: 10.1177/15500594211035923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Background. Interest in electroencephalographic (EEG) coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) findings has been growing, especially in the search for a specific-features EEG of encephalopathy. Methods. We made a retrospective analysis of 29 EEGs recorded in 15 patients with COVID-19 and neurological symptoms. We classified the EEGs as "Acute EEG" and "follow-up EEG." We did a statistical analysis between voltage and respiratory status of the patient, stay or not in the intensive care unit (ICU), days of stay in the ICU, sedative drugs, pharmacological treatment, type of symptoms predominating, and outcome. Results. We found EEG abnormalities in all patients studied. We observed the amplitude of background <20 µV at 93% of "acute EEG," versus only 21.4% of "follow-up EEG." The average voltage went from 12.33 ± 5.09 µV in the acute EEGs to 32.8 ± 20.13 µV in the follow-up EEGs. A total of 60% of acute EEGs showed an intermittent focal rhythmic. We have not found a statistically significant association between voltage of acute EEG and nonneurological clinical status (including respiratory) that may interfere with the EEG findings. Conclusions. Nonspecific diffuse slowing EEG pattern in COVID-19 is the most common finding reported, but we found in addition to that, as a distinctive finding, low voltage EEG, that could explain the low prevalence of epileptic activity published in these patients. A metabolic/hypoxic mechanism seems unlikely on the basis of our EEG findings. This pattern in other etiologies is reminiscent of severe encephalopathy states associated with poor prognosis. However, an unreactive low voltage pattern in COVID-19 patients is not necessarily related to poor prognosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Sáez-Landete
- 16507Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Adriana Gómez-Domínguez
- 16507Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Beatriz Estrella-León
- 16507Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alba Díaz-Cid
- 16507Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Olga Fedirchyk
- 16507Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Escribano-Muñoz
- 16507Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Pedrera-Mazarro
- 16507Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Gloria Santos-Pérez
- 16507Departament of Anesthesiology. Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Orendáčová M, Kvašňák E. Possible Mechanisms Underlying Neurological Post-COVID Symptoms and Neurofeedback as a Potential Therapy. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:837972. [PMID: 35431842 PMCID: PMC9010738 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.837972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Theoretical considerations related to neurological post-COVID complications have become a serious issue in the COVID pandemic. We propose 3 theoretical hypotheses related to neurological post-COVID complications. First, pathophysiological processes responsible for long-term neurological complications caused by COVID-19 might have 2 phases: (1) Phase of acute Sars-CoV-2 infection linked with the pathogenesis responsible for the onset of COVID-19-related neurological complications and (2) the phase of post-acute Sars-CoV-2 infection linked with the pathogenesis responsible for long-lasting persistence of post-COVID neurological problems and/or exacerbation of another neurological pathologies. Second, post-COVID symptoms can be described and investigated from the perspective of dynamical system theory exploiting its fundamental concepts such as system parameters, attractors and criticality. Thirdly, neurofeedback may represent a promising therapy for neurological post-COVID complications. Based on the current knowledge related to neurofeedback and what is already known about neurological complications linked to acute COVID-19 and post-acute COVID-19 conditions, we propose that neurofeedback modalities, such as functional magnetic resonance-based neurofeedback, quantitative EEG-based neurofeedback, Othmer's method of rewarding individual optimal EEG frequency and heart rate variability-based biofeedback, represent a potential therapy for improvement of post-COVID symptoms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mária Orendáčová
- Department of Medical Biophysics and Medical Informatics, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czechia
| | - Eugen Kvašňák
- Department of Medical Biophysics and Medical Informatics, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czechia
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Putative Role of the Lung-Brain Axis in the Pathogenesis of COVID-19-Associated Respiratory Failure: A Systematic Review. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10030729. [PMID: 35327531 PMCID: PMC8944980 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10030729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 and its related disease caused by coronavirus (COVID-19) has posed a huge threat to the global population, with millions of deaths and the creation of enormous social and healthcare pressure. Several studies have shown that besides respiratory illness, other organs may be damaged as well, including the heart, kidneys, and brain. Current evidence reports a high frequency of neurological manifestations in COVID-19, with significant prognostic implications. Importantly, emerging literature is showing that the virus may spread to the central nervous system through neuronal routes, hitting the brainstem and cardiorespiratory centers, potentially exacerbating the respiratory illness. In this systematic review, we searched public databases for all available evidence and discuss current clinical and pre-clinical data on the relationship between the lung and brain during COVID-19. Acknowledging the involvement of these primordial brain areas in the pathogenesis of the disease may fuel research on the topic and allow the development of new therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
|
12
|
Khair A. Intermittent Frontal Rhythmic Discharges as an Electroencephalogram Biomarker of Acute SARS-CoV-2 Infection-Associated Encephalopathy in Children. Cureus 2021; 13:e19149. [PMID: 34868783 PMCID: PMC8628864 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.19149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Data on neurological sequelae of COVID-19 infection in children are sparse. Neurotropic and neuroinvasive potentials of the SARS-CoV-2 virus are a matter of ongoing scientific debate and not yet well understood. Most of the reported symptoms are nonspecific including headache, encephalopathy, weakness, and as a part of multisystem inflammatory response syndrome. Few observational studies have reported acute encephalopathy to be one of the neurological manifestations of COVID-19 infection, mostly in adults. A little is known about epileptogenesis or electroencephalogram (EEG) findings in this limited cohort of pediatric patients. We report a 17-year-old female with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM), who presented with two weeks history of intermittent headaches, followed by a one-day history of acute change in behavior in the form of prolonged staring, decreased speech, confusion, and alternating periods of agitation and sleepiness. No fever or respiratory symptoms. Her blood glucose was normal. Brain MRI was unremarkable. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) studies showed 1000 RBCs, no WBCs, normal glucose/protein, negative culture, and negative infectious PCR, and autoimmune panels. She was found to be positive for SARS-CoV-2 PCR with negative IgG. Her EEG showed remarkable background slowing and frequent frontal intermittent rhythmic discharges. She was managed with high-dose steroids with the full clinical recovery of all symptoms at discharge, as well as normalization of subsequent EEG studies. We hypothesize there may be some specific seizure characteristics or EEG patterns in patients with pediatric COVID-19 infection and concomitant acute encephalopathy. It is perhaps reasonable to obtain EEG studies in children who test positive for SARS-CoV-2 and report central neurological symptoms. Long-term follow-up of this cohort of patients will be helpful to understand the clinical significance and implications of such neurophysiological studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abdulhafeez Khair
- Neurology, Nemours Children's Health, Thomas Jefferson University, Wilmington, USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Manifestations cliniques et paracliniques de la COVID-19, diagnostic virologique. NPG NEUROLOGIE - PSYCHIATRIE - GÉRIATRIE 2021. [PMCID: PMC8188459 DOI: 10.1016/j.npg.2021.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Des formes parfaitement asymptomatiques aux formes de COVID-19 sévères, nécessitant une prise en charge en Service de réanimation, la COVID-19 est aujourd’hui mieux décrite. Entre 30 et 50 % des patients resteront asymptomatiques et la majorité des malades symptomatiques développeront les signes d’une infection virale des voies respiratoires (fièvre, toux, asthénie). La particularité de la COVID-19 réside dans le large éventail de symptômes associés et de l’évolution, dans environ 5 % des cas, vers un syndrome de détresse respiratoire aiguë. Si l’âge demeure le facteur de risque principal de développer une forme sévère de COVID-19, il ne semble pas exister de tableau clinique spécifique au sujet âgé, pour qui l’expression de la maladie se rapproche de l’adulte jeune.
Collapse
|
14
|
Corazza LA, Tatsch JFS, Barros MP, Queiroz APD, Batista LLR, Aidar MB, Baldocchi MA, Rocha MSG, Brucki SMD. Electroencephalographic findings among inpatients with COVID-19 in a tertiary hospital from a middle-income country. ARQUIVOS DE NEURO-PSIQUIATRIA 2021; 79:315-320. [PMID: 34133512 DOI: 10.1590/0004-282x-anp-2020-0555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In 2019, the world witnessed the emergence of a new type of coronavirus - the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The spectrum of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is variable, and amongst its manifestations are neurological implications. OBJECTIVE This report aimed to describe electroencephalographic findings in COVID-19 patients from a general tertiary hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS It was a retrospective, observational, and non-interventional study. Data were collected anonymously, comprising inpatients from Mar 1 to Jun 30, 2020, either confirmed (positive RT-PCR) or probable cases (CO-RADS 4/5) who had performed EEG during hospitalization. RESULTS Twenty-eight patients were enrolled, 17 (60.7%) women and 11 men, with a median age of 58 (minimum and maximum: 18-86; IQR 23.5). COVID-19 diagnosis was confirmed in 22 (78.5%). Twenty-one patients (75%) had severe disease, requiring mechanical ventilation due to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS); 16 (57.1%) patients developed adjunct sepsis throughout hospitalization. There was no specific pattern found for COVID-19 in EEG. No patients presented with status epilepticus or electrographic events; most patients developed an encephalopathic pattern, as seen in most studies, with a high prevalence of altered mental status as an indication for EEG. Adjunct sepsis was associated with higher mortality. CONCLUSIONS EEG presents as a useful tool in the context of COVID-19, as in other conditions, to differentiate nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) from encephalopathy and other causes of mental status alterations. Further studies are required to analyze whether there might be a specific EEG pattern to the disease.
Collapse
|
15
|
Kopańska M, Banaś-Ząbczyk A, Łagowska A, Kuduk B, Szczygielski J. Changes in EEG Recordings in COVID-19 Patients as a Basis for More Accurate QEEG Diagnostics and EEG Neurofeedback Therapy: A Systematic Review. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10061300. [PMID: 33809957 PMCID: PMC8004106 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10061300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE The SARS-CoV-2 virus is able to cause abnormalities in the functioning of the nervous system and induce neurological symptoms with the features of encephalopathy, disturbances of consciousness and concentration and a reduced ability to sense taste and smell as well as headaches. One of the methods of detecting these types of changes in COVID-19 patients is an electroencephalogram (EEG) test, which allows information to be obtained about the functioning of the brain as well as diagnosing diseases and predicting their consequences. The aim of the study was to review the latest research on changes in EEG in patients with COVID-19 as a basis for further quantitative electroencephalogram (QEEG) diagnostics and EEG neurofeedback training. Description of the state of knowledge: Based on the available scientific literature using the PubMed database from 2020 and early 2021 regarding changes in the EEG records in patients with COVID-19, 17 publications were included in the analysis. In patients who underwent an EEG test, changes in the frontal area were observed. A few patients were not found to be responsive to external stimuli. Additionally, a previously non-emerging, uncommon pattern in the form of continuous, slightly asymmetric, monomorphic, biphasic and slow delta waves occurred. CONCLUSION The results of this analysis clearly indicate that the SARS-CoV-2 virus causes changes in the nervous system that can be manifested and detected in the EEG record. The small number of available articles, the small number of research groups and the lack of control groups suggest the need for further research regarding the short and long term neurological effects of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the need for unquestionable confirmation that observed changes were caused by the virus per se and did not occur before. The presented studies described non-specific patterns appearing in encephalograms in patients with COVID-19. These observations are the basis for more accurate QEEG diagnostics and EEG neurofeedback training.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Kopańska
- Department of Pathophysiology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Medical College of Rzeszow University, 35-959 Rzeszow, Poland
- Correspondence:
| | - Agnieszka Banaś-Ząbczyk
- Department of Biology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Medical College of Rzeszow University, 35-959 Rzeszow, Poland;
| | - Anna Łagowska
- Student Research Club “Reh-Tech”, Medical College of Rzeszow University, 35-959 Rzeszow, Poland; (A.Ł.); (B.K.)
| | - Barbara Kuduk
- Student Research Club “Reh-Tech”, Medical College of Rzeszow University, 35-959 Rzeszow, Poland; (A.Ł.); (B.K.)
| | - Jacek Szczygielski
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Medical Sciences, Medical College of Rzeszow University, 35-959 Rzeszow, Poland
- Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Saarland University, 06841 Saarbrücken, Germany;
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Tan BH, Liu JM, Gui Y, Wu S, Suo JL, Li YC. Neurological involvement in the respiratory manifestations of COVID-19 patients. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:4713-4730. [PMID: 33582654 PMCID: PMC7906194 DOI: 10.18632/aging.202665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The peculiar features of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), are challenging the current biological knowledge. Early in Feb, 2020, we suggested that SARS-CoV-2 may possess neuroinvasive potential similar to that of many other coronaviruses. Since then, a variety of neurological manifestations have been associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, which was supported in some patients with neuroimaging and/or cerebrospinal fluid tests. To date, at least 27 autopsy studies on the brains of COVID-19 patients can be retrieved through PubMed/MEDLINE, among which neuropathological alterations were observed in the brainstem in 78 of 134 examined patients, and SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid and viral proteins were detected in the brainstem in 16/49 (32.7%) and 18/71 (25.3%) cases, respectively. To shed some light on the peculiar respiratory manifestations of COVID-19 patients, this review assessed the existing evidence about the neurogenic mechanism underlying the respiratory failure induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection. Acknowledging the neurological involvement has important guiding significance for the prevention, treatment, and prognosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bai-Hong Tan
- Laboratory Teaching Center of Basic Medicine, Norman Bethune Health Science Center of Jilin University, Jilin, China
| | - Jia-Mei Liu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Norman Bethune College of Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yue Gui
- Department of Histology and Embryology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Norman Bethune College of Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Shuang Wu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Norman Bethune College of Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Jia-Le Suo
- Department of Histology and Embryology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Norman Bethune College of Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yan-Chao Li
- Department of Histology and Embryology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Norman Bethune College of Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Affiliation(s)
- Marc R Nuwer
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|