Lymphocyte subpopulations and EEG asymmetry

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Immunology
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Abnormal electroencephalography (EEG) asymmetry is linked to psychiatric disorders.
• Mechanisms underlying EEG asymmetry dysregulation are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between leukocyte subpopulation proportions and relative EEG asymmetry in healthy individuals.
• To explore potential immune system involvement in EEG asymmetry regulation.

Main Methods:

• Resting-state EEG was recorded from 24 healthy participants.
• Leukocyte subpopulation proportions were estimated from genome-wide DNA methylation data.
• Pearson's correlation and false discovery rate (FDR) correction were used to analyze associations.

Main Results:

• Several associations were found between leukocyte subpopulations (e.g., CD8+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, B cells, granulocytes) and EEG asymmetry across different brain regions and frequency bands.
• Specifically, CD4+ T cells were linked to frontal and occipital alpha/delta asymmetry, while B cells and granulocytes were associated with occipital beta/delta asymmetry.
• However, no associations remained statistically significant after FDR correction.

Conclusions:

• Identified associations suggest a potential link between peripheral immune cell proportions and central EEG asymmetry.
• Cytokine signaling within the central nervous system may partially mediate these relationships.
• Understanding EEG asymmetry regulation in healthy individuals can inform research on psychiatric populations.