Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 14, 2026
07:37
Assessment and Communication for People with Disorders of Consciousness
Published on: August 1, 2017
9.0K
Exploring Aesthetic Perception in Impaired Aging: A Multimodal Brain-Computer Interface Study
Livio Clemente1, Marianna La Rocca2,3, Giulia Paparella1
1Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience (DiBraiN) Department, University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy.
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
|April 13, 2024
Summary
Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) reveal differences in aesthetic perception between healthy adults and those with impaired aging (AI). AI subjects showed altered neurophysiological responses, suggesting potential for BCI-guided cognitive rehabilitation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) offer insights into neural mechanisms of cognitive processes like aesthetic perception.
- Non-invasive BCIs (EEG, fNIRS) are vital for studying central nervous system activity and responses to aesthetic stimuli in individuals with cognitive deficits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess neurophysiological responses to aesthetic stimuli in individuals with impaired aging (AI) compared to controls.
- To investigate the utility of multimodal BCIs in understanding aesthetic appreciation in cognitive disorders.
Main Methods:
- Twenty participants were divided into control and AI groups based on Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores.
- Electroencephalography (EEG) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) measured brain activity during exposure to aesthetic stimuli varying in pleasantness and dynamism.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in P300 amplitude and late positive potential (LPP) were observed between groups, with controls exhibiting greater reactivity.
- Individuals with AI demonstrated increased oxyhemoglobin in response to pleasurable stimuli, indicating potential hemodynamic compensation.
Conclusions:
- Multimodal BCIs effectively identify neural underpinnings of aesthetic appreciation and impaired aging.
- This research provides a foundation for cognitive rehabilitation strategies targeting aesthetic perception in cognitive disorders.
