Hyper-acute EEG alterations predict functional and morphological outcomes in thrombolysis-treated ischemic stroke: a...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Biomarkers
• Stroke Research

Background:

• Early stroke prognosis is difficult due to high inter-subject variability.
• Objective biomarkers are needed for improved prognostic information in hyper-acute stroke.
• The prognostic value of quantitative electroencephalography (EEG) parameters before thrombolysis remains under-investigated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate correlations between pre-thrombolysis quantitative EEG biomarkers and short-term/long-term functional and morphological outcomes in patients with anterior ischemic stroke.
• To explore the utility of wireless EEG for early outcome prediction in stroke patients receiving thrombolysis.

Main Methods:

• Wireless EEG was performed in 20 patients with hyper-acute anterior ischemic stroke before reperfusion therapy (within 4.5 hours of onset).
• Quantitative EEG parameters, including relative delta power, alpha power, delta/alpha ratio (DAR), and delta+theta/alpha+beta ratio (DTABR), were analyzed.
• Correlations were assessed between pre-treatment EEG parameters and 7-day/12-month National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), 12-month modified Rankin Scale (mRS), and final infarct volume.

Main Results:

• Relative delta power, alpha power, DAR, and DTABR significantly correlated with 7-day and 12-month NIHSS scores.
• These EEG parameters also showed significant correlations with final infarct volume.
• A favorable 12-month mRS (≤2) was associated with the DAR parameter (p=0.008).

Conclusions:

• Non-invasive, portable wireless EEG can provide objective neurophysiological biomarkers in the early pre-treatment phase of stroke.
• These biomarkers show potential for predicting short- and long-term outcomes in thrombolysis-treated stroke patients.
• Early EEG-based prediction may aid in optimizing treatment strategies for stroke patients.