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Frontal delta event-related oscillations relate to frontal volume in mild cognitive impairment and healthy controls
Görsev G Yener1, Derya Durusu Emek-Savaş2, Roberta Lizio3
1Department of Neurology, Dokuz Eylül University Medical School, Izmir 35340, Turkey; Brain Dynamics Multidisciplinary Research Center, Dokuz Eylül University, Izmir 35340, Turkey; Brain Dynamics, Cognition and Complex Systems Research Center, Istanbul Kultur University, Istanbul 34156, Turkey; Department of Neurosciences, Dokuz Eylül University, Izmir 35340, Turkey.
Abstract:
Amnesic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) represents a risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD), but not all MCI subjects progress to dementia of AD type. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of cortical and hippocampal atrophy supports early diagnosis of AD in MCI subjects, while frontal event-related oscillations (EROs) at delta frequencies (<4Hz) are appealing markers for this purpose, as they are both cost-effective and largely available. The present study tested the hypothesis that these EROs reflect cortical frontal neurodegeneration in the continuum between normal and amnesic MCI subjects. EROs and volumetric MRI data were recorded in 28 amnesic MCI and in 28 healthy elderly controls (HCs). EROs were collected during a standard visual oddball paradigm including frequent (66.6%) and rare (33.3%; targets to be mentally counted) stimuli. Peak-to-peak amplitude of delta target EROs (<4Hz) was measured. Volume of frontal cortex was estimated from MRIs. Frontal volume was lower in MCI compared to the HC group. Furthermore, widespread delta target EROs were lower in amplitude in the former than in the latter group. Finally, there was a positive correlation between frontal volume and frontal delta target EROs in MCI and HC subjects as a whole group. These results suggest that frontal delta EROs reflect frontal neurodegeneration in the continuum between normal and amnesic MCI subjects.
Insights
Frontal delta event-related oscillations (EROs) may indicate frontal neurodegeneration in individuals with amnesic mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Lower ERO amplitudes correlated with reduced frontal brain volume in MCI and healthy controls.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Neurology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Amnesic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD), but progression varies.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and frontal event-related oscillations (EROs) show promise for early AD diagnosis in MCI.
- Delta frequency EROs (<4Hz) are cost-effective and accessible potential biomarkers for neurodegeneration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if frontal delta EROs reflect cortical frontal neurodegeneration in the spectrum from healthy controls (HCs) to amnesic MCI.
- To assess the relationship between frontal brain volume and frontal delta EROs in HCs and amnesic MCI.
Main Methods:
- Recorded electroencephalography (EEG) for event-related oscillations (EROs) and volumetric MRI in 28 amnesic MCI and 28 healthy elderly controls (HCs).
- Utilized a visual oddball paradigm to elicit delta target EROs (<4Hz) and measured peak-to-peak amplitude.
- Estimated frontal cortex volume from MRI scans.
Main Results:
- Amnesic MCI subjects exhibited lower frontal cortical volume compared to HCs.
- Reduced amplitude of frontal delta target EROs was observed in the MCI group versus the HC group.
- A significant positive correlation was found between frontal volume and frontal delta target ERO amplitude across both groups.
Conclusions:
- Frontal delta EROs appear to be a valid indicator of frontal neurodegeneration in the continuum from normal cognition to amnesic MCI.
- These findings support the potential utility of frontal delta EROs as a non-invasive biomarker for early detection of neurodegenerative changes associated with MCI.
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