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EEG beta 2 power as surrogate marker for memory impairment: a pilot study.
Andreas K Kaiser1,2, Michael Doppelmayr3,4, Bernhard Iglseder1
1Department of Geriatric Medicine, Salzburger Landeskliniken Betriebs GesmbH, Christian-Doppler-Klinik, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
International Psychogeriatrics
|May 23, 2017
Summary
Electroencephalography (EEG) beta 2 power during backward counting can help identify verbal memory impairment in older adults. This finding suggests EEG beta power may serve as a biomarker for memory issues in geriatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gerontology
- Biomarkers
Background:
- Memory deficits are a primary symptom of dementia, often correlating with electroencephalographic (EEG) beta power.
- EEG beta power shows potential for predicting Alzheimer's disease progression, even at the mild cognitive impairment stage.
- This study investigates the link between frontal and parietal EEG beta power and memory function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the relationship between frontal and parietal EEG beta power and memory test outcomes.
- To explore the utility of EEG beta power as a potential surrogate marker for memory impairment.
Main Methods:
- 28 geriatric patients underwent EEG recordings (Beta 1 and Beta 2 bands) at frontal and parietal sites.
- EEG data were collected during resting state and a backward counting condition (eyes closed).
- Correlations were analyzed between EEG beta power and various memory tests (recall, recognition). A logistic regression model was used for classification.
Main Results:
- Significant positive correlations were observed between frontal/parietal beta power and delayed memory recall.
- A significant correlation (p < 0.05) was found at F4 beta 2 power during backward counting.
- The logistic regression model using F4 beta 2 power achieved 76.9% sensitivity and 73.3% specificity in classifying verbal memory impairment.
Conclusions:
- EEG beta 2 power during a backward counting task can serve as a surrogate marker for verbal memory impairment in geriatric patients.
- Antidepressant use affected resting-state EEG but not EEG during the counting condition.
- Further research is needed to validate these pilot study findings.
