Quantitative EEG analysis in early onset Alzheimer's disease: a controlled study

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Neurology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder.
• Presenile AD affects individuals younger than 65.
• Electroencephalography (EEG) can detect functional brain changes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate quantitative EEG (qEEG) differences between presenile Alzheimer's patients and age-matched controls.
• To analyze power spectral density in various frequency bands across different brain regions.

Main Methods:

• Quantitative EEG (qEEG) analysis was performed on 15 presenile probable Alzheimer's disease patients and 15 controls.
• Absolute power in delta, theta, alpha, and beta frequency bands was assessed at each electrode location.
• Electrooculography (EOG) and electromyography (EMG) artifacts were accounted for.

Main Results:

• Alzheimer's patients exhibited increased power in slow frequency bands (delta, theta) uniformly across brain regions compared to controls.
• A decrease in fast frequency band power (alpha 2, beta 1, beta 2) was observed, most notably in temporo-parietal regions.
• Alpha activity showed a slowed peak frequency, and topographic power profiles in fast bands were flatter in patients.
• Hemispheric differences were noted, with greater alterations in slow and fast bands observed on the left hemisphere.

Conclusions:

• Quantitative EEG reveals distinct patterns of altered brainwave activity in presenile Alzheimer's disease.
• The findings suggest widespread slowing of brain activity and regional alterations in fast wave activity.
• EEG may serve as a valuable tool for characterizing neurophysiological changes in early-onset Alzheimer's disease.