Elevated Gaussian-modeled beta power in the cortex characterizes aging, but not Parkinson's disease

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Aging Research
• Parkinson's Disease Research

Background:

• Aging is a primary risk factor for Parkinson's disease (PD).
• PD is associated with excessive beta oscillations (13-30 Hz) in brain networks.
• Cortical beta power is not consistently elevated in individuals with PD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate differences in resting cortical beta power among younger controls, older controls, and individuals with PD.
• To determine if a novel Gaussian model for quantifying beta power can differentiate these groups.
• To examine the distribution of beta power across the cortex.

Main Methods:

• Scalp electroencephalogram (EEG) was used to record brain activity.
• A novel Gaussian model was applied to quantify sensorimotor beta power.
• Analysis included comparing beta power across younger controls, older controls, and individuals with PD, and examining the entire cortical distribution.

Main Results:

• Gaussian-modeled sensorimotor beta power did not differentiate individuals with PD (on medication) from healthy younger or older controls.
• Beta power, but not theta or alpha power, was significantly higher in healthy older adults compared to younger adults, particularly in frontal and parietal regions.
• The aperiodic component's exponent was higher in younger controls than in individuals with PD in the right parietal-occipital region.

Conclusions:

• Resting cortical beta power, quantified using a Gaussian model, is elevated in aging but does not distinguish individuals with PD from healthy controls.
• Age, rather than PD, appears to be a significant modulator of cortical beta power.
• Further longitudinal studies are warranted to explore the relationship between increasing age and sensorimotor beta power.