T67. Electroencephalogram utility in early detection of dementia

Abstract

The brain and its neurons are continuously active, this activity occurs spontaneously as well as in response to external stimulation, the computerized electroencephalogram collects the information of brain activity and its importance is that provides sufficiently reliable information about if there a normal or pathological brain function, in addition through this method it is possible to follow closely the dynamics of these processes making possible the characterization and control of the disease process. Regarding the usefulness of the EEG in dementia according to the findings of a study, it is as accurate as the clinical examination in the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s dementia (about 90% according to Cummings et al., 1998) and others affirm that the diagnostic relevance is comparable with other more complex and less accessible exams such as PET positron emission tomography (Szelies and Grond, 1992; Dierks and Jelic, 2000). According to the characterization, Stigsby et al. (1981) found greater diffuse activity of theta and delta, and lower alpha and beta, as well as the frontal deceleration, more prominent to Silvio’s fissure. Another study about prediction revealed the value of the EEG as a predictor with the 95% of accuracy in identifying those, in the study participants, who would suffer from neurocognitive decline, and those who not (Prichep et al., 2005). A qualitative cross - sectional descriptive methodology was proposed with the objective of knowing the brain activity, prior to treatment, in five patients with Dementia. The study was performed in awake state and activation using two methods: opening/closing the eyes and hyperventilation. Exclusion criteria were: presence of comorbidity psychiatric, history of brain damage and consumption of psychoactive substances, considering that these conditions may influence the results of the CEEG. I was detected some heterogeneous data such as presences of theta waves in the left frontal lobe (in 1 of 5 patients), linked to diffuse corticosubcortical dysfunction and generalized low voltage (1 of 5 patients), related to cortical hypofunction suggestive of loss of nerve cells and therefore of functionality, nevertheless, it is important to emphasize the absence of alpha waves in all of them (5 of 5 patients) which is related to alterations in the synchronicity of the corticocortical connections. In conclusion, the findings show characteristics in the EEG in the presented patients, this characterization could be related to an alteration in the cerebral functioning, which provides favorable data about the value of the EEG as a tool for early detection of dementia, in conjunction with other assessment tools, even in the early stages of cognitive impairment, coinciding this with the revised literature. The study also presents limitation, the small number of patients studied and the absence of a control group.