Abstract
Anatomical functionality is a major topic in brain research. Numerous investigations have shown task dependent activation of focal brain areas, with most information based on time-averaged data due to methodological limitations. Ultra-fast quantitative EEG, especially in the newly developed combination with eye tracking (EnkephaloVision), is very suitable to follow activities of local electric circuits. This investigation in 57 subjects revealed transient focal frequency changes reaching up to more than 6000% of global median spectra power during cognitive and emotional challenges at frontal electrode positions. Recording epochs of 364 ms uncovered coherences with respect to focal brain areas and single frequencies, which are typically lost during averaged calculations. When averaging data over a whole scene, a least demanding challenge like viewing a boring animal video only activated the lateral frontal lobe, whereas solving brain-teasers and performance of mathematical calculations led to delta (modulated by acetylcholine) and theta (modulated by norepinephrine) increases in all brain regions in a statistically significant manner. In addition to delta and theta increases, performance of the Stroop test led to beta2 (related to GABA-ergic transmission) increases in the temporal lobe. The higher the mental demand the more brain regions were involved during 10 different challenges. There was no challenge which did not activate the lateral frontal brain in terms of increases of delta and theta spectral power. The results are in line with the view that the lateral frontal lobe is involved primarily during cognitive and emotional behavior related to activity changes of acetylcholine and norepinephrine.
Highlights
There is a longstanding debate on anatomical functionality
Experimental studies based on use of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Positrons Emission Tomography (PET) suggest that particular anatomical structures are more involved during cognitive and emotional behavior than others
The results clearly demonstrate that there is an anatomical functionality with respect to the involvement of the frontal cortex and temporal lobe, and the parietal lobe, during cognitive and emotional challenges
Summary
There is a longstanding debate on anatomical functionality. Experimental studies based on use of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Positrons Emission Tomography (PET) suggest that particular anatomical structures are more involved during cognitive (for example frontal lobe) and emotional behavior (for example amygdala) than others. There is ample evidence that cognitive and emotional processes relate to electric network activity involving several anatomic regions of the brain. Direct measurement of electric activity provides much more information by use of frequency analysis obtained by Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT), since single frequencies have been related to neurotransmitter activities. Concomitant analysis of regional spectral power within six frequency ranges should give new insight into anatomical functionality with respect to cognition and emotion, and provide information on particular neurotransmitters being involved. This becomes feasible by analysis of ultra-short recording epochs of 364 ms duration in comparison to time-averaged data on longer periods. It was hoped to get new insight into brain function with respect to neurotransmitters related to behavior
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