qEEG Changes Research Articles

Single-channel qEEG characteristics distinguish delirium from no delirium, but not postoperative from non-postoperative delirium

ObjectiveThis exploratory study examined quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) changes in delirium and the use of qEEG features to distinguish postoperative from non-postoperative delirium. MethodsThis project was part of the DeltaStudy, a cross-sectional,multicenterstudy in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and non-ICU wards. Single-channel (Fp2-Pz) four-minutes resting-state EEG was analyzed in 456 patients. After calculating 98 qEEG features per epoch, random forest (RF) classification was used to analyze qEEG changes in delirium and to test whether postoperative and non-postoperative delirium could be distinguished. ResultsAn area under the receiver operatingcharacteristic curve (AUC) of 0.76 (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.71–0.80) was found when classifying delirium with a sensitivity of 0.77 and a specificity of 0.63 at the optimal operating point. The classification of postoperative versus non-postoperative delirium resulted in an AUC of 0.50 (95%CI 0.38–0.61). ConclusionsRF classification was able to discriminate delirium from no delirium with reasonable accuracy, while also identifying new delirium qEEG markers like autocorrelation and theta peak frequency. RF classification could not distinguish postoperative from non-postoperative delirium. SignificanceSingle-channel EEG differentiates between delirium and no delirium with reasonable accuracy. We found no distinct EEG profile for postoperative delirium, which may suggest that delirium is one entity, whether it develops postoperatively or not.

QEEG Predictors of Treatment Response in Major Depressive Disorder- A Replication Study from Northwest India.

Background: Predicting treatment response with antidepressant is a challenging task for clinicians and researchers. An important limitation of an antidepressant trial is the increased time spent before an adequacy of trial can be decided. Quantitative Electroencephalography has shown some evidence in identifying early changes seen with antidepressants. No data has been reported from Indian population on its predictive capabilities. Aim: To examine whether early changes in frontal and prefrontal theta value in QEEG could predict antidepressant treatment response. Methods: Structured clinical assessments were conducted at baseline and after one week in a sample of treatment-seeking adults with major depressive disorder (n = 50). Patients were started on SSRI (Escitalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine or sertraline) and followed for 8 weeks. QEEG recordings were carried out at baseline and week 1 and its parameters (relative theta power and cordance) were assessed to identify its predictive value for treatment response. Treatment response was assessed using Hamilton depression rating scale with 50% reduction after 8 weeks being considered as response. Results: Mean age of the sample was 39 ± 10 years and majority of them were females (64%). A significant reduction was found in relative frontal theta value (p = 0.021) from baseline to one week in responders. However, linear regression revealed that this change could not predict the treatment response (p = 0.37). Conclusions: QEEG changes are observed in initial phase of antidepressant treatment but these changes can't predict the treatment response.

Longitudinal qEEG changes correlate with clinical outcomes in patients with somatic symptom disorder

ObjectiveThe quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) of patients with somatic symptom disorder (SSD) was not yet thoroughly studied. This study aimed to investigate qEEG of SSD patients compared with those of normal controls (NCs), and changes therein after treatment. MethodsSSD patients currently without treatment and age- and sex-matched NCs were recruited. Spectral analysis of 64-channel EEG recording was performed and somatization, anxiety, and depression were evaluated via self-rating scales at baseline. After six months of treatment as usual, SSD patients were longitudinally followed up for assessments. ResultsAt baseline, the SSD group (n = 44) had higher alpha (p = 0.047) and lower beta 2 (p = 0.027) and gamma power (p = 0.001) compared with NCs (n = 29). After 6-month treatment, SSD patients showed improvement in symptoms, as well as increased beta 1 (p = 0.032), beta 2 (p = 0.012), and gamma power (p = 0.009) compared with baseline. A significant correlation was observed between the change in somatization score and temporal gamma power (r = −0.424, p = 0.031), and between the change in anxiety score and beta 2 power in the frontal (r = −0.420, p = 0.033) and central (r = −0.484, p = 0.012) regions. ConclusionsEEG findings in this study may provide neurophysiological features of SSD. The alpha enhancement and reduced fast wave activity may reflect attentional dysfunction in patients with SSD. Decreased fast wave activity is reversible and may serve as a state marker of SSD.

Роль сукцинатоксидазного окисления в интенсивной терапии тяжелой черепно-мозговой травмы

Цель: изучение особенностей цереброкардиальных взаимодействий у пациентов с тяжелой черепно-мозговой травмой (ТЧМТ) и их изменений при использовании в интенсивной терапии (ИТ) производных янтарной кислоты — препаратов цитофлавин и этилметилгидроксипиридина сукцинат. Материалы и методы. Группу сравнения составили 12 больных с диагнозом ТЧМТ, которые получали ИТ по стандартному протоколу. Группу исследования (ГИ) составили 74 пациентов с ТЧМТ: 43 больных, получавших, кроме стандартного протокола, цитофлавин (5 мл в 100 мл физиологического раствора внутривенно 1 раз в сутки), и 31 больной, получавший дополнительно к стандартному протоколу этилметилгидроксипиридина сукцинат (5 мл в 100 мл физиологического раствора внутривенно 1 раз в сутки). Длительность ИТ — от 10 суток до 8 мес. Из пациентов ГИ 9 человек умерли, у 5 пациентов острая церебральная недостаточность трансформировалась в вегетативное состояние. Диагноз вегетативного состояния у пациентов ГИ был выставлен в динамике наблюдения на основании принятых международных критериев, утвержденных Американской академией неврологии. В динамике терапии проводили анализ уровня сознания по шкале комы Глазго, Глазго-Питсбургской шкале комы и шкале исходов Глазго, параметров компьютерной томографии (Philips Brilliance CT), количественной электроэнцефалографии (кЭЭГ) (система Nihon Kohden Corporation EEG-1200K), вариабельности сердечного ритма (ВСР) («Ютас ЮМ 200»). Статистическая обработка данных была проведена с помощью программы MedStat. Результаты. В условиях ТЧМТ центральный контур регуляции ВСР смещался от вегетативных центров продолговатого мозга в область ретикулярной формации ствола и среднего мозга и в проекцию дна IV желудочка. Об этом свидетельствуют выявленные средние и сильные прямые корреляционные связи между параметрами ВСР и уровнями мощности дельта-диапазона («патологическая» медленноволновая активность), максимально в проекции окципитальных и лобных отделов коры; активностью нейроглиального пула центральной нервной системы (ЦНС) (спектр-мощность (СМ) кЭЭГ в диапазоне 0,5–1 Гц), максимально в зонах проецирования стволовых образований (С3С4; О1О2); активностью адренергических нейромедиаторных структур ЦНС (СМ кЭЭГ 4–5 Гц), максимально в зонах проецирования стволовых образований (С3С4, Т3Т4); средние обратные корреляционные связи между параметрами ВСР и уровнями мощности тета- и альфа-1-диапазона, максимально в проекции окципитальных и центральных отделов коры; активностью холин- (СМ кЭЭГ 6–7,5 Гц) и дофаминергических (СМ кЭЭГ 11–12 Гц) систем ЦНС, максимально в зонах проекции стволовых образований (С3С4; О1О2). В условиях ТЧМТ c неблагоприятным исходом не существовало единого центрального контура регуляции ВСР, выявлены одновременные конкурентные влияния со стороны таламокортикальных, таламогипоталамических структур; ретикулярной формации диэнцефального уровня. Применение препаратов — производных янтарной кислоты (цитофлавин и этилметилгидро­ксипиридина сукцинат) у пациентов с ТЧМТ приводило к восстановлению равноправных влияний традиционного центрального контура — центры продолговатого мозга, гипоталамо-гипофизарная область — на формирование ВСР. Интересно, что эффекты этилметилгидроксипиридина сукцината были связаны в большей мере с динамикой параметров кЭЭГ, отражающих изменения на верхнестволовом и корковом уровне ЦНС, а использования цитофлавина — преимущественно с изменениями параметров кЭЭГ, которые являются нейрофизиологическими предикторами динамики на уровне среднего мозга, диэнцефальной, таламической и лимбико-гиппокампальной областей ЦНС. Выводы. Параметры цереброкардиальных взаимодействий при ТЧМТ и их изменения информативны для оценки эффективности ИТ и прогнозирования исхода.

Early Detection of Cerebral Herniation by Continuous Electroencephalography and Quantitative Analysis.

Continuous electroencephalography (cEEG) and quantitative analysis of EEG (qEEG) are used in various circumstances such as detecting seizures, identifying acute or delayed cerebral ischemia, monitoring sedative therapy, or assessing prognosis. The authors report 2 cases: (1) Case #1 was a patient with unilateral cerebral edema and uncal herniation with asymmetric cEEG and qEEG changes detected an hour before clinical examination changes were noted and (2) Case #2 was a patient with diffuse cerebral edema and trans-tentorial herniation with symmetric cEEG and qEEG changes detected an hour before clinical examination changes were noted. These cases demonstrate the ability of cEEG and qEEG in early detection of different types of cerebral herniation. qEEG can be utilized by intensive care unit (ICU) staff not trained in EEG interpretation as a surveillance method to detect cerebral herniation, which may provide an opportunity for early intervention in high-risk patients.

A study of prevalence of abnormal EEG and its association between various clinical presentations of atypical febrile seizures

Background: Quantitative EEG is a rapidly emerging tool in the diagnosis and follow up of various neurological disorders and can act as predictive marker for subsequent epilepsy in children with complex febrile seizure. The present study aimed to estimate the prevalence of abnormal electroencephalogram (EEG) and to find the association between Quantitative EEG (qEEG) and various clinical features of atypical febrile seizures(AFS).Methods: EEG was recorded along with clinical features including the age at onset, duration of episode, number of episodes in a day, type of seizure and the recurrences from the children aged between 6-60 months with atypical febrile seizures. EEG recordings were classified into Normal and abnormal EEG with epileptiform changes by the expert interpretation and the distribution of above said clinical features in the both groups were analyzed. It is also attempted to find the association between qEEG and few of the clinical features.Results: Prevalence of abnormal EEG in atypical febrile seizures was 33.9%. There were no significant differences in the distribution of abnormal EEG and their association with various clinical features of AFS. Significantly increased absolute power of θ and α waves were recorded from the frontal montages in the children with epileptiform changes in the EEG.Conclusions: qEEG changes can be also considered as marker of severity of febrile seizure episodes. Many prospective studies with long-term follow up are required to establish the predictability of future epilepsy by qEEG.

The changes of brain electric activity in patients with different severity of coronary atherosclerosis one-year after coronary artery bypass grafting

Aim. To examine the brain electrical activity changes with the quantitative electroencephalogram (qEEG) indicators (the spectral power) in patients at 1 year after on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) depending on the severity of the coronary lesions. Methods. 65 patients were included in the study. Before performing CABG, they were divided into two groups depending on the severity of coronary artery disease according to the SYNTAX score: patients with mild coronary artery lesions – SYNTAX ≤22, (n = 28) and patients with severe coronary lesions – SYNTAX ≥ 23, (n = 37). EEG studies were performed in the preoperative period (at days 3–5 before GABG) and 1 year after surgery. Variance analysis with repeated comparisons (ANOVA) was used to compare pre-and postoperative EEG spectral power indicators in five clusters of the right and left hemispheres. Results. Patients with SYNTAX ≥23 had higher theta rhythm power values as compared with patients with SYNTAX ≤22 (p = 0.018) at 1 year after CABG, whereas these groups were comparable before the surgery. In addition, patients with severe lesions of the coronary arteries (SYNTAX ≥23) demonstrated an increase of theta rhythm power at 1 year after surgery in comparison to preoperative values (p = 0.017), this effect was not detected in patients with SYNTAX ≤22. Conclusion .One year after CABG, patients with severe coronary lesions (SYNTAX ≥23), demonstrated qEEG changes that resembled cortical dysfunction, showing significance of severity of coronary atherosclerosis, assessed by the SYNTAX score, as an integral indicator, indirectly characterizing neurophysiological status of patients.

Quantitative electroencephalography in a swine model of blast-induced brain injury

Objective: Electroencephalography (EEG) was used to examine brain activity abnormalities earlier after blast exposure using a swine model to develop a qEEG data analysis protocol.Methods: Anaesthetized swine were exposed to 420–450 Kpa blast overpressure and survived for 3 days after blast. EEG recordings were performed at 15 minutes before the blast and 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 2 hours and 1, 2 and 3 days post-blast using surface recording electrodes and a Biopac 4-channel data acquisition system. Off-line quantitative EEG (qEEG) data analysis was performed to determine qEEG changes.Results: Blast induced qEEG changes earlier after blast exposure, including a decrease of mean amplitude (MAMP), an increase of delta band power, a decrease of alpha band root mean square (RMS) and a decrease of 90% spectral edge frequency (SEF90).Conclusions: This study demonstrated that qEEG is sensitive for cerebral injury. The changes of qEEG earlier after the blast indicate the potential of utilization of multiple parameters of qEEG for diagnosis of blast-induced brain injury. Early detection of blast induced brain injury will allow early screening and assessment of brain abnormalities in soldiers to enable timely therapeutic intervention.

Differential sleep-promoting effects of dual orexin receptor antagonists and GABAA receptor modulators.

BackgroundThe current standard of care for insomnia includes gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor A (GABAA) activators, which promote sleep as well as general central nervous system depression. Dual orexin receptor antagonists (DORAs) represent an alternative mechanism for insomnia treatment that induces somnolence by blocking the wake-promoting effects of orexin neuropeptides. The current study compares the role and interdependence of these two mechanisms on their ability to influence sleep architecture and quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) spectral profiles across preclinical species.ResultsActive-phase dosing of DORA-22 induced consistent effects on sleep architecture in mice, rats, dogs, and rhesus monkeys; attenuation of active wake was accompanied by increases in both non─rapid eye movement (NREM) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Eszopiclone, a representative GABAA receptor modulator, promoted sleep in rats and rhesus monkeys that was marked by REM sleep suppression, but had inconsistent effects in mice and paradoxically promoted wakefulness in dogs. Active-phase treatment of rats with DORA-12 similarly promoted NREM and REM sleep to magnitudes nearly identical to those seen during normal resting-phase sleep following vehicle treatment, whereas eszopiclone suppressed REM even to levels below those seen during the active phase. The qEEG changes induced by DORA-12 in rats also resembled normal resting-phase patterns, whereas eszopiclone induced changes distinct from normal active- or inactive-phase spectra. Co-dosing experiments, as well as studies in transgenic rats lacking orexin neurons, indicated partial overlap in the mechanism of sleep promotion by orexin and GABA modulation with the exception of the REM suppression exclusive to GABAA receptor modulation. Following REM deprivation in mice, eszopiclone further suppressed REM sleep while DORA-22 facilitated recovery including increased REM sleep.ConclusionDORAs promote NREM and importantly REM sleep that is similar in proportion and magnitude to that seen during the normal resting phase across mammalian animal models. While limited overlap exists between therapeutic mechanisms, orexin signaling does not appear involved in the REM suppression exhibited by GABAA receptor modulators. The ability of DORAs to promote proportional NREM and REM sleep following sleep deprivation suggests that this mechanism may be effective in alleviating recovery from sleep disturbance.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1471-2202-15-109) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

QEEG indexed frontal connectivity effects of transcranial pulsed current stimulation (tPCS): A sham-controlled mechanistic trial

Transcranial pulsed current stimulation (tPCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that employs weak, pulsed current at different frequency ranges, inducing electrical currents that reach cortical and subcortical structures. Very little is known about its effects on brain oscillations and functional connectivity and whether these effects are dependent on the frequency of stimulation. Our aim was to evaluate the effects of tPCS with different frequency ranges in cortical oscillations indexed by high-resolution qEEG changes for power and interhemispheric coherence. Thirty-eight healthy subjects were enrolled and received a single 20-min session of either sham or active stimulation with 1Hz, 100Hz or random frequency (1–5Hz). We conducted an exploratory analysis to detect changes in mean power for theta, alpha and beta, and interhemispheric coherence for alpha and theta and four different sub-bands cognitive and non-specific adverse effects were recorded. We found that active stimulation with a random frequency ranging between 1 and 5Hz is able to significantly increase functional connectivity for the theta and low-alpha band as compared to sham and active stimulation with either 1 or 100Hz. Based on these findings, we discuss the possible effects of tPCS on resting functional connectivity for low-frequency bands in fronto-temporal areas. Future studies should be conducted to investigate the potential benefit of these induced changes in pathologic states.

QEEG related changes following the treatment of anxiety disorders: Case series

Patients with anxiety spectrum disorders are a highly heterogeneous group, requiring new therapeutic strategies and individualized treatment monitoring. Today, there is a growing interest for implementing biological approaches to clinical practice in psychiatry. Quantitative EEG is an excellent tool in this regard, though it has been widely underestimated when compared to recent neuroimaging techniques. In this case series, we presented four cases with a different anxiety spectrum disorder and evaluated their qEEG changes before and after the treatment. In addition, we also calculated the so-called EEG cordance values as an index of cerebral perfusion and cingulate cortex activity. According to the results, there appears to be an increase in the frontal beta and theta band in our cases, which has responded to treatment. In regards to the cordance values, we found that there was a reduction in the prefrontal regions up to %38 percent following the treatment. Based on previous studies, this may also indirectly suggest reduction in the cingulate cortex activity. The possible implications of these findings were discussed. Taken together, this case series highlighted the potential use of qEEG power values, normative z-scores and cordance values in anxiety spectrum disorders.

The benefit /INS;of physical activity on cognition: Results from the Austrian stroke prevention study

WCN 2013 No: 1220 Topic: 5 — Dementia The benefit of physical activity on cognition: Results from the Austrian stroke prevention study P. Freudenberger, K. Petrovic, A. Sen, A.-M. Toglhofer, R. Schmidt, H. Schmidt. Centre for Molecular Medicine, Graz, Austria; Department of Neurology, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria Objective: Cognitive decline leads to disability and decreased quality of life. It is related to life-style decisions, diet and physical activity. Herewe investigate the association VO2 max as a measure of cardio respiratory fitness (CRF) and cognitive domains, as wells as global cognition in a large population based cohort. Additionally we investigate mediation by MRI correlates of brain atrophy and vascular degeneration. Methods: The cohort consisted of 730 healthy participants (mean age 65 ± 7 years, 58% females) of the Austrian Stroke Prevention study. Cognitive function measurements include single tests, as well as composite scores for specific domains, including memory, conceptualization, visuopractical skills and attention / speed and global cognition (g-factor). CRF was assessed by performing a graded exercise stress test setup on a treadmill ergometer, and is expressed as VO2max. Brain MRI was used to measure brain parenchymal fraction (BPF) and white matter lesion load (WML load). Multiple linear regression was used to test the association. Results: VO2max was significantly associated with almost all cognitive domains, (p b 0.05), as well as global cognition g (p b 0.01). The associations were independent of age, sex, educational level and life-style (smoking, BMI) and vascular risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol) and ApoE genotype). White matter lesions and brain atrophy partly mediate the described effect of cardio-respiratory fitness on cognition in general, and in on each individual domains. Interpretation: The results support the protective role of cardiorespiratory fitness on cognition, which may ameliorate age-related cognitive decline and thus disability in old age. doi:10.1016/j.jns.2013.07.1158 Abstract — WCN 2013 No: 1172 Topic: 5 — Dementia Using cognitive qEEG to characterize disease severity in the prospective dementia registry Austria (PRODEM) WCN 2013 No: 1172 Topic: 5 — Dementia Using cognitive qEEG to characterize disease severity in the prospective dementia registry Austria (PRODEM) H. Garn, M. Waser, T. Benke, P. Dal-Bianco, G. Ransmayr, M. Deistler, D. Grossegger, R. Schmidt. AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Vienna, Austria; Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria; Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Department of Neurology, General Hospital Linz, Linz, Austria; Institute for Mathematical Methods in Economics, Vienna University of Technology, Austria; Dr. Grossegger & Drbal GmbH, Vienna, Austria; Department of Neurology,Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria Quantitative EEG (qEEG) changes in Alzheimer's disease (AD) include frequency slowing, altered synchrony and reduced complexity. So far, qEEG alterations have been used to distinguish AD or prodromal AD from controls. The current study validated these qEEG metrics by assessing their relationship with cognitive functioning in patients with probable AD. Moreover, we defined an overall qEEG metric by independent component analysis. We studied 103 AD cases from the multi-centric study PRODEM-Austria. Their mean age was 73.1 years and mean dementia duration was 27 months. All patients underwent EEG recording in resting and cognitively active state. EEG analysis included automated artifact removal, manual selection of artifact-free epochs for qEEG assessments and calculation of six different markers in the domains frequency, synchrony and complexity. Quadratic regressions were calculated to determine themagnitude of variance of MMSE scores that was explained by each EEG metric and by the combination factor. Analyses were adjusted for age, sex, duration of dementia, and educational level. Relative theta power during face encoding explained 38% of the variance of MMSE scores, followed by relative alpha and beta1 power which explained 35% and 32%, respectively. No single measure of synchrony or complexity explainedmore than 30% ofMMSE variance. With 28% variance explanation the combination factor was also inferior to frequency measures. Our data indicate theta power measured during face encoding to be most closely related to AD severity. Its role as a qEEGmarker to predict AD progression needs to be further determined in longitudinal studies. doi:10.1016/j.jns.2013.07.1159 Abstract — WCN 2013 No: 1236 Topic: 5 — Dementia Anticardiolipin antibodies, cognition, and brain magnetic resonance imaging WCN 2013 No: 1236 Topic: 5 — Dementia Anticardiolipin antibodies, cognition, and brain magnetic resonance imaging N. Homayoon, E. Hofer, K. Petrovic, M. Loitfelder, H. Schmidt, R. Schmidt. Department of Neurology, Medical University Graz,

The duration of sleep promoting efficacy by dual orexin receptor antagonists is dependent upon receptor occupancy threshold

BackgroundDrugs targeting insomnia ideally promote sleep throughout the night, maintain normal sleep architecture, and are devoid of residual effects associated with morning sedation. These features of an ideal compound are not only dependent upon pharmacokinetics, receptor binding kinetics, potency and pharmacodynamic activity, but also upon a compound’s mechanism of action.ResultsDual orexin receptor antagonists (DORAs) block the arousal-promoting activity of orexin peptides and, as demonstrated in the current work, exhibit an efficacy signal window dependent upon oscillating levels of endogenous orexin neuropeptide. Sleep efficacy of structurally diverse DORAs in rat and dog was achieved at plasma exposures corresponding to orexin 2 receptor (OX2R) occupancies in the range of 65 to 80%. In rats, the time course of OX2R occupancy was dependent upon receptor binding kinetics and was tightly correlated with the timing of active wake reduction. In rhesus monkeys, direct comparison of DORA-22 with GABA-A modulators at similar sleep-inducing doses revealed that diazepam produced next-day residual sleep and both diazepam and eszopiclone induced next-day cognitive deficits. In stark contrast, DORA-22 did not produce residual effects. Furthermore, DORA-22 evoked only minimal changes in quantitative electroencephalogram (qEEG) activity during the normal resting phase in contrast to GABA-A modulators which induced substantial qEEG changes.ConclusionThe higher levels of receptor occupancy necessary for DORA efficacy require a plasma concentration profile sufficient to maintain sleep for the duration of the resting period. DORAs, with a half-life exceeding 8 h in humans, are expected to fulfill this requirement as exposures drop to sub-threshold receptor occupancy levels prior to the wake period, potentially avoiding next-day residual effects at therapeutic doses.

Electroencephalography and Quantitative Electroencephalography in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) causes brain injury resulting in electrophysiologic abnormalities visible in electroencephalography (EEG) recordings. Quantitative EEG (qEEG) makes use of quantitative techniques to analyze EEG characteristics such as frequency, amplitude, coherence, power, phase, and symmetry over time independently or in combination. QEEG has been evaluated for its use in making a diagnosis of mTBI and assessing prognosis, including the likelihood of progressing to the postconcussive syndrome (PCS) phase. We review the EEG and qEEG changes of mTBI described in the literature. An attempt is made to separate the findings seen during the acute, subacute, and chronic phases after mTBI. Brief mention is also made of the neurobiological correlates of qEEG using neuroimaging techniques or in histopathology. Although the literature indicates the promise of qEEG in making a diagnosis and indicating prognosis of mTBI, further study is needed to corroborate and refine these methods.

Relationship between Quantitative Electroencephalogram and Interferon-α-Induced Depression in Chronic Hepatitis C Patients

Background: Quantitative electroencephalogram (qEEG) changes in chronic hepatitis C patients treated with interferon-α (IFN-α) have previously been reported. However, whether IFN-α-induced depression is related to changes in qEEG during IFN-α treatment remains unclear. Method: Fifty chronic hepatitis C patients were enrolled and IFN-α was administered intramuscularly at 9 × 10⁶ IU daily for the first 4 weeks and then 3 times a week for the next 20 weeks. Serial EEGs obtained before and at 4 weeks after treatment were assessed. The absolute power for each frequency band was determined using qEEG techniques. Differences in the rate of change in absolute power for each of 6 frequency bands (δ, θ₁, θ₂, α₁, α₂ and β) were assessed between patients with and without major depression using the Mann-Whitney U test. When significant differences in the rate of change in absolute power for each frequency band were observed, differences in the rate of change were also assessed between patients with and without psychological complications using the Mann-Whitney U test. Results: Major depression due to psychological complications during IFN-α treatment was reported in 10 out of 50 patients. In the θ₁ band, the difference in the rate of change was demonstrated to be significant (p = 0.0036). Moreover, at the central, frontal, parietal, and temporal locations, the rates of change were also significantly different. Conclusion: In IFN-α-treated chronic hepatitis C patients who were diagnosed with major depression, qEEG changes were more obvious and widely distributed.

Hypoglycemia-Related Electroencephalogram Changes are Independent of Gender, Age, Duration of Diabetes, and Awareness Status in Type 1 Diabetes

Neuroglycopenia in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) results in reduced cognition, unconsciousness, seizures, and possible death. Characteristic changes in the electroencephalogram (EEG) can be detected even in the initial stages. This may constitute a basis for a hypoglycemia alarm device. The aim of the present study was to explore the characteristics of the EEG differentiating normoglycemia and hypoglycemia and to elucidate potential group differences. We pooled data from experiments in T1DM where EEG was available during both normoglycemia and hypo-glycemia for each subject. Temporal EEG was analyzed by quantitative electroencephalogram (qEEG) analysis with respect to absolute amplitude and centroid frequency of the delta, theta, alpha, and beta bands, and the peak frequency of the unified theta-alpha band. To elucidate possible group differences, data were subsequently stratified by age group (± 50 years), gender, duration of diabetes (± 20 years), and hypoglycemia awareness status (normal/impaired awareness of hypoglycemia). An increase in the log amplitude of the delta, theta, and alpha band and a decrease in the alpha band centroid frequency and the peak frequency of the unified theta-alpha band constituted the most significant hypoglycemia indicators (all p < .0001). The size of these qEEG changes remained stable across all strata. Hypoglycemia-associated EEG changes remain stable across age group, gender, duration of diabetes, and hypoglycemia awareness status. This indicates that it may be possible to establish a general algorithm for hypoglycemia detection based on EEG measures.

The P2 Receptor Antagonist PPADS Supports Recovery from Experimental Stroke In Vivo

BackgroundAfter ischemia of the CNS, extracellular adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) can reach high concentrations due to cell damage and subsequent increase of membrane permeability. ATP may cause cellular degeneration and death, mediated by P2X and P2Y receptors.Methodology/Principal FindingsThe effects of inhibition of P2 receptors by pyridoxalphosphate-6-azophenyl-2′,4′-disulphonic acid (PPADS) on electrophysiological, functional and morphological alterations in an ischemia model with permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) were investigated up to day 28. Spontaneously hypertensive rats received PPADS or vehicle intracerebroventricularly 15 minutes prior MCAO for up to 7 days. The functional recovery monitored by qEEG was improved by PPADS indicated by an accelerated recovery of ischemia-induced qEEG changes in the delta and alpha frequency bands along with a faster and sustained recovery of motor impairments. Whereas the functional improvements by PPADS were persistent at day 28, the infarct volume measured by magnetic resonance imaging and the amount of TUNEL-positive cells were significantly reduced by PPADS only until day 7. Further, by immunohistochemistry and confocal laser scanning microscopy, we identified both neurons and astrocytes as TUNEL-positive after MCAO.ConclusionThe persistent beneficial effect of PPADS on the functional parameters without differences in the late (day 28) infarct size and apoptosis suggests that the early inhibition of P2 receptors might be favourable for the maintenance or early reconstruction of neuronal connectivity in the periinfarct area after ischemic incidents.

Thought field therapy and QEEG changes in the treatment of trauma: A case study.

As identified by quantitative electroencephalography, statistically abnormal brain wave patterns were observed when a person thought about a trauma when compared with thinking about a neutral (baseline) event. Reassessment of brain wave patterns (to the traumatic memory) immediately after thought field therapy diagnosis and treatment revealed that the previous abnormal pattern was altered and was no longer statistically abnormal. An 18-month follow-up indicated that the patient continued to be free of all emotional upset regarding the treated trauma. This case study supports the concept that trauma-based negative emotions do have a correlated and measurable abnormal energetic effect. In addition, this study objectively identified an immediate energetic change after thought field therapy in the direction of normalcy and health, which has persisted.

Comparison of Quantitative EEGs Between Parkinson Disease and Age-Adjusted Normal Controls

Quantitative EEG (qEEG) findings in Parkinson disease (PD) have been reported in only five previous studies. In these studies, the sample size was small and the distribution of qEEG changes was not estimated. This is the first qEEG evaluation not only employing multiple logistic regression analysis but also estimating the distribution of qEEG changes. The subjects comprised 45 PD patients without remarkable dementia and 40 age-adjusted normal controls. The lack of ischemic lesions in all subjects was confirmed by MRI. Absolute power values were measured for four frequency bands from delta to beta. The electrodes were divided into six, viz. frontal pole, frontal, central, parietal, temporal, and occipital locations. We calculated the spectral ratio, i.e., the sum of the power values in the alpha and beta waves divided by the sum of the values in the slow waves. The dependent variable was either PD or normal control; the independent variables were the spectral ratios, age, sex, and Mini-Mental State Examination score. The significant predictive variables in PD were the spectral ratios at all electrode locations except for the frontal pole (frontal location: P = 0.025, other locations: P < 0.01). PD presented diffuse slowing in the qEEG when compared with age-adjusted normal controls.

Topographic and tomographic QEEG changes induced by antipsychotic drugs

Topographic and tomographic QEEG changes induced by antipsychotic drugs