Individual analysis of EEG frequency and band power in mild Alzheimer's disease

• Published in: Clinical neurophysiology Vol. 115; no. 2; pp. 299 - 308
• Main Authors: Moretti, Davide V, Babiloni, Claudio, Binetti, Giuliano, Cassetta, Emanuele, Dal Forno, Gloria, Ferreric, Florinda, Ferri, Raffaele, Lanuzza, Bartolo, Miniussi, Carlo, Nobili, Flavio, Rodriguez, Guido, Salinari, Serenella, Rossini, Paolo M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shannon Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01.02.2004; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Aged; Alpha rhythm; Alzheimer Disease - physiopathology; Biological and medical sciences; Brain Mapping; Cerebral Cortex - physiopathology; Degenerative and inherited degenerative diseases of the nervous system. Leukodystrophies. Prion diseases; Delta rhythm; Dementia, Vascular - physiopathology; Electrodiagnosis. Electric activity recording; Electroencephalography; Female; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Male; Medical sciences; Mental Status Schedule; Mild Alzheimer's disease; Nervous system; Neurology; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; Vascular dementia; Alpha rhythm; Delta rhythm; Electroencephalography; Vascular dementia; Mild Alzheimer's disease; Human; Evaluation; Nervous system diseases; Alzheimer disease; Electrophysiology; Cardiovascular disease; Cerebral disorder; Vascular disease; Electrodiagnosis; Frequency band; Central nervous system disease; Degenerative disease; Elderly
• ISSN: 1388-2457; 1872-8952; 1872-8952
• DOI: 10.1016/S1388-2457(03)00345-6

Objective: This EEG study investigates the role of the cholinergic system, cortico-cortical connections, and sub-cortical white matter on the relationship between individual EEG frequencies and their relative power bands. Methods: EEGs were recorded at rest in 30 normal elderly subjects (Nold), 60 mild Alzheimer disease (AD) and 20 vascular dementia (VaD) patients, comparable for Mini Mental State Evaluation scores (MMSE 17–24). Individual EEG frequencies were indexed by the theta/alpha transition frequency (TF) and by the individual alpha frequency (IAF) with power peak in the extended alpha range (5–14 Hz). Relative power was separately computed for delta, theta, alpha1, alpha2, and alpha3 bands, on the basis of the TF and IAF. Results: Using normal subjects as a reference, VaD patients showed ‘slowing’ of alpha frequency (TF-IAF) and lower alpha2 power; Mild AD patients showed lower alpha2 and alpha3 power; delta power was higher in both AD and VaD patients; Theta power was higher only in VaD patients. Conclusions: Individual analysis of the alpha frequency and power can discriminate mild AD from VaD and normal elderly subjects. Significance: This analysis may probe pathophysiological mechanisms causing AD and VaD.