Comparison of QEEG Findings before and after Onset of Post-COVID-19 Brain Fog Symptoms

Abstract

Previous research and clinical reports have shown that some individuals after COVID-19 infection may demonstrate symptoms of so-called brain fog, manifested by cognitive impairment and disorganization in behavior. Meanwhile, in several other conditions, related to intellectual function, a specific pattern of changes in electric brain activity, as recorded by quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) has been documented. We hypothesized, that in post-COVID brain fog, the subjective complaints may be accompanied by objective changes in the QEEG profile. In order to test this hypothesis, we have performed an exploratory study on the academic staff of our University with previous records of QEEG originating in the pre-COVID-19 era. Among them, 20 subjects who revealed neurological problems in the cognitive sphere (confirmed as covid fog/brain fog by a clinical specialist) after COVID-19 infection were identified. In those individuals, QEEG was performed. We observed, that opposite to baseline QEEG records, increased Theta and Alpha activity, as well as more intensive sensimotor rhythm (SMR) in C4 (right hemisphere) in relation to C3 (left hemisphere). Moreover, a visible increase in Beta 2 in relation to SMR in both hemispheres could be documented. Summarizing, we could demonstrate a clear change in QEEG activity patterns in individuals previously not affected by COVID-19 and now suffering from post-COVID-19 brain fog. These preliminary results warrant further interest in delineating their background. Here, both neuroinflammation and psychological stress, related to Sars-CoV2-infection may be considered. Based on our observation, the relevance of QEEG examination as a supportive tool for post-COVID clinical workup and for monitoring the treatment effects is also to be explored.

Investigating brain cortical activity in patients with post-COVID-19 brain fog

“…There are at least four different and well-accepted operational definitions of CFS (Holmes et al, 1988;Lloyd et al, 1990;Sharpe, 1991;Fukuda et al, 1994); however, all rely on the subjective reports, and there are no objective diagnostic discoveries. So it is generally difficult to define official CFS symptoms; however, it seems that many of them are similar as those reported by the patients with post-COVID-19 brain fog (Ross et al, 2004;Ocon, 2013;Paul et al, 2021;Theoharides et al, 2021;Wostyn, 2021;Asadi-Pooya et al, 2022;Callan et al, 2022;Hugon et al, 2022;Kopańska et al, 2022;Krishnan et al, 2022;Pierce et al, 2022;Premraj et al, 2022).…”

MiniQEEG and Neurofeedback in Diagnosis and Treatment of COVID-19-Related Panic Attacks: A Case Report

“…The fast waves (Beta1 and Beta2) are usually attributed to the impact of sympathetic activity on the brain function (stress/excitation), Alpha waves with regular cortical activity/cognitive processes, while Theta activity is assumed to be related to the state of calmness, sleep and activity of the limbic system. The amplitudes of fast waves—Beta1 and Beta2 in the dominant hemisphere—should be higher (up to 50%) compared to those registered in the non-dominant hemisphere [ 24 , 25 ]. Further, in the non-dominant hemisphere, higher amplitudes for slow waves—Delta, Theta, Alpha and SMR—should be present.…”

COVID-19 as a polymorphic inflammatory spectrum of diseases: a review with focus on the brain

“…‘Brain fog’ is one of the commonest reported symptoms in long COVID (Chasco et al ., 2022) and closely related to chronic neuroinflammation. Subjective changes in brain functions, such as quantitative electroencephalography have been reported (Kopańska et al ., 2022). The fatigue and cognitive impairment are similar to that of chronic fatigue syndrome (Azcue et al ., 2022) and neuroinflammation is likely the primary cause in both.…”