Multi-approach comparative study of EEG patterns associated with the most common forms of dementia

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Medical Imaging
• Neurology

Background:

• Distinguishing between different dementia syndromes is clinically challenging.
• Electroencephalography (EEG) is a non-invasive neurophysiological tool with potential for diagnosing cognitive disorders.
• The diagnostic utility of EEG markers across various dementia types requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the sensitivity of quantitative EEG markers in discriminating between major cognitive disorders.
• To identify specific EEG signatures for Alzheimer's disease with and without vascular lesions, Lewy body disease, and vascular dementia.

Main Methods:

• Quantitative EEG analysis including spectral analysis, functional connectivity, and micro-state analysis.
• Comparison of EEG data from four patient groups (Alzheimer's disease with vascular lesions, Alzheimer's disease without vascular lesions (AD-V), Lewy body disease, vascular dementia (VaD)) and a control group.

Main Results:

• Patients with dementia exhibited generalized slowing and altered functional connectivity compared to controls.
• Vascular dementia (VaD) showed increased alpha band power, distinct from Alzheimer's disease groups.
• Alzheimer's disease without vascular lesions (AD-V) displayed increased beta-2 band power and higher functional connectivity.
• Micro-state analysis revealed distinct temporal dynamics in the VaD group.

Conclusions:

• Quantitative EEG analysis reveals distinct patterns that can aid in differentiating dementia subtypes.
• Specific EEG alterations in alpha and beta bands, alongside functional connectivity changes, show promise for differential diagnosis.
• While some known EEG markers were confirmed, others were not replicated, highlighting the complexity of EEG in dementia diagnosis.