Exploring resting-state EEG brain oscillatory activity in relation to cognitive functioning in multiple sclerosis. Issue 9 (September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Keune, Philipp M.; Hansen, Sascha; Weber, Emily; Zapf, Franziska; Habich, Juliane; Muenssinger, Jana; Wolf, Sebastian; Schönenberg, Michael; Oschmann, Patrick
• Is Part Of: Clinical neurophysiology. Volume 128:Issue 9(2017:Sep.)
• Page Start: 1746
• Page End: 1754
• Publication Date: 2017-09
• Subjects: Multiple sclerosis (MS) -- Resting-state electroencephalogram (EEG) -- Theta/beta ratio -- Symbol digit modalities test (SDMT) -- Attention -- Test of attention performance (TAP); Neurophysiology -- Periodicals; Electroencephalography -- Periodicals; Electromyography -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; 612.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2017.06.253
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1388-2457

Abstract

Highlights: Attention was examined in relation to global EEG alpha power and frontal theta/beta ratio (T/B) in multiple sclerosis (MS). Attention was related to alpha power and T/B ratio. T/B activity showed potential clinical sensitivity. The examined EEG markers may represent feasible parameters for clinical monitoring in MS. Abstract: Objective: Neurophysiologic monitoring parameters related to cognition in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) are sparse. Previous work reported an association between magnetoencephalographic (MEG) alpha-1 activity and information processing speed. While this remains to be replicated by more available electroencephalographic (EEG) methods, also other established EEG markers, e.g. the slow-wave/fast-wave ratio (theta/beta ratio), remain to be explored in this context. Methods: Performance on standard tests addressing information processing speed and attention (Symbol-Digit Modalities Test, SDMT; Test of Attention Performance, TAP) was examined in relation to resting-state EEG alpha-1 and alpha-2 activity and the theta/beta ratio in 25 MS patients. Results: Increased global alpha-1 and alpha-2 activity and an increased frontal theta/beta ratio (pronounced slow-wave relative to fast-wave activity) were associated with lower SDMT processing speed. In an exploratory analysis, clinically impaired attention was associated with a significantly increased frontal theta/beta ratio whereas alpha power did not show sensitivity to clinical impairment. Conclusions: EEG global alpha power and the frontal theta/beta ratio were both associated with attention. The theta/beta ratio involved potential clinical sensitivity. Significance: Resting-state EEG recordings can be obtained during the routine clinical process. The examined resting-state measures may represent feasible monitoring parameters in MS. This notion should be explored in future intervention studies.