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Updated: Apr 18, 2026
Examining the Characteristics of Episodic Memory using Event-related Potentials in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease
Published on: August 30, 2011
Eyes-closed task-free electroencephalography in clinical trials for Alzheimer's disease: an emerging method based
Elisabeth Cw van Straaten1, Philip Scheltens2, Alida A Gouw3
1Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, VU University Medical Center, de Bolelaan 1118, P.O. box 7057, 1007 MB Amsterdam, The Netherlands ; Nutricia Research, Nutricia Advanced Medical Nutrition, Utrecht Science Park, Uppsalalaan 12, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
Electroencephalography (EEG) is a longstanding technique to measure electrical brain activity and thereby an indirect measure of synaptic activity. Synaptic dysfunction accompanies Alzheimer's disease (AD) and EEG can be regarded as a potentially useful biomarker in this disease. Lately, emerging analysis techniques of time series have become available for EEG, such as functional connectivity and network analysis, which have increased the possibilities for use in AD clinical trials. In this review, we report the EEG changes in the course of AD, including slowing of the EEG oscillations, decreased functional connectivity in the higher-frequency bands, and decline in optimal functional network organization. We discuss the use of EEG in clinical trials and provide directions for future research.
