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Updated: Jul 10, 2026
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Disruption of Frontal Lobe Neural Synchrony During Cognitive Control by Alcohol Intoxication
Published on: February 6, 2019
Optimal brain network synchrony visualization: application in an alcoholism paradigm.
Vangelis Sakkalis1, Vassilis Tsiaras, Michalis Zervakis
1Institute of Computer Science, Foundation for Research and Technology, Heraklion 71110, Greece. sakkalis@ics.forth.gr
Summary
This study visualizes brain signal synchronization using graph theory. Alcoholism impairs brain synchronization and lateralization, particularly in alpha and beta bands, during mental tasks.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Network Science
- Signal Processing
Background:
- Electroencephalographic (EEG) signal synchronization is increasingly studied.
- Visualization methods for EEG synchronization measures are lacking.
- Alcoholism is known to impair brain synchronization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a graph-theoretic approach for visualizing EEG signal synchronization.
- To investigate linear and nonlinear interdependence measures in an alcoholism paradigm.
- To identify significant correlation patterns and quantify functional brain network motifs.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a graph-theoretic approach to analyze coupling dynamics in task-performing networks.
- Investigated magnitude squared coherence, phase synchronization, and generalized synchronization.
- Employed a signal-based technique with surrogate datasets for optimal visualization threshold selection.
- Applied graph statistical parameters to quantify functional brain network motifs.
Main Results:
- Alcoholic subjects showed impaired brain activity synchronization compared to controls.
- Loss of lateralization was observed in alcoholic subjects during mental rehearsal.
- Synchronization impairments were most prominent in the alpha (8-12 Hz) band.
- Reduced synchronization was also evident in the lower beta (13-30 Hz) band for alcoholic subjects.
Conclusions:
- The proposed graph-theoretic approach effectively visualizes EEG synchronization.
- Findings support previous psychophysiology studies on alcoholism's impact on brain synchronization.
- Alcoholism leads to significant alterations in functional brain network dynamics, particularly in alpha and beta bands.
