Developmental changes in individual alpha frequency: Recording EEG data during public engagement events

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Neuroimaging
• Public Engagement

Background:

• Statistical power in cognitive neuroimaging is frequently limited by small sample sizes, leading to potential false negatives and false positives.
• Large-scale data collection for electroencephalography (EEG) studies is challenging within traditional laboratory settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the feasibility of collecting large-scale EEG data in community settings through public engagement events.
• To replicate controlled, lab-based findings on brain activity across the human lifespan using community-collected EEG data.
• To provide practical considerations for researchers conducting EEG within public outreach environments.

Main Methods:

• EEG data were collected from 346 participants (age 6-76) over 6 days at local science festivals.
• A single-channel EEG recording focused on alpha activity (6-15 Hz) from the occipital region with eyes closed.
• Data from 289 participants were analyzed to examine lifespan changes in alpha activity and aperiodic components.

Main Results:

• Community-based EEG successfully replicated established findings: individual alpha frequency (IAF) shows a lifespan trajectory peaking around age 28.
• Total alpha power decreased linearly with age, while aperiodic-adjusted alpha power remained stable.
• Aperiodic EEG components (slopes and intercepts) were highest in younger individuals; no association with self-reported fatigue was found.

Conclusions:

• Community engagement events provide a practical and effective method for acquiring large EEG datasets, enhancing statistical power.
• This approach allows for the replication of controlled laboratory findings in a real-world, diverse population.
• Researchers can successfully collect valuable EEG data during public outreach, contributing to broader cognitive neuroscience research.