[Brain mapping for discriminating age related changes from dementia]

BM-EEG (Brain Mapping) and BM-P300 was studied for age related changes in 63 healthy controls (17.1-87.9 years). Additionally the discriminative power of both functional measures was tested in 21 patients with the clinical diagnosis (NINCDS-ADRDA) of probable dementia of Alzheimer type (DAT) of mild to moderate degree (Global Deterioration Scale, 4.2 +/- 2.6). For global and regional absolute and relative power values in the 4 frequency bands alpha, beta, theta and delta, the alpha-peak, P300 latency and amplitudes, quantitative and topographical aspects were analysed. Despite a broad variation of normal values both tests revealed age related changes. For separation between DAT and normal controls BM-EEG was superior to BM-P300. Relative global and regional theta power was the most sensitive parameter to discriminate both groups. BM data are compared with reported findings of traditional EEG and cognitive evoked potentials.