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Applications of EEG Neuroimaging Data: Event-related Potentials, Spectral Power, and Multiscale Entropy
Published on: June 27, 2013
EEG power spectral measurements comparing normal and "thatcherized" faces
Jorge Gersenowies1, Erzsebet Marosi, Selene Cansino
1Neuroscience Department, National Autonomous University of Mexico, UNAM, FES Iztacala, México. jrgersenowies@hotmail.com
The International Journal of Neuroscience
|July 10, 2010
Summary
Researchers found that delta frequency in electroencephalogram (EEG) power increased when participants detected distorted faces. This EEG power spectral change may relate to distinguishing normal from modified facial images.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Brain Imaging
Background:
- Facial recognition is a complex cognitive process.
- Electroencephalography (EEG) measures brain activity.
- Previous research suggests specific neural correlates for face perception.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate changes in EEG frequencies during the perception of normal versus distorted faces.
- To identify specific EEG frequency bands associated with facial distortion detection.
Main Methods:
- Broadband EEG analysis was performed on 48 healthy, right-handed male volunteers.
- Referential recordings were obtained using 21 leads.
- Participants viewed both normal and "thatcherized" (distorted) faces.
Main Results:
- An increase in delta power (1.75-3.91 Hz) was observed.
- This delta power increase correlated with detecting facial distortion.
- The effect was localized to the bifrontal and left temporoparietal cortex.
- Other EEG frequency bands showed no significant changes between conditions.
Conclusions:
- EEG power spectral changes, specifically in the delta band, are associated with the discrimination of normal from distorted faces.
- These findings support the hypothesis that EEG can reflect cognitive processes involved in facial perception and distortion detection.
