Uncensored EEG: The role of DC potentials in neurobiology of the brain. (June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kovac, Stjepana; Speckmann, Erwin-Josef; Gorji, Ali
• Is Part Of: Progress in neurobiology. Volume 165/166/167(2018)
• Page Start: 51
• Page End: 65
• Publication Date: 2018-06
• Subjects: BAEPs brainstem auditory evoked potentials -- BOLD blood oxygenation level-dependent -- CNS central nervous system -- CNV contingent negative variation -- DC direct current -- ECoG electrocorticography -- EEG electroencephalography -- EFPs epileptiform field potentials -- ERPs event related DC potentials -- HISD hypoxic Ischaemic SD-like event -- MRI magnetic resonance imaging -- MS multiple sclerosis -- SD spreading depression -- SSEPs short latency somatosensory evoked potentials -- SUDEP sudden unexpected death in epilepsy -- VEPs visual evoked potentials; Electrocorticography -- Bioelectrical activities -- Electroencephalography -- Cortex -- Spreading depression -- Epileptiform discharges; Neurobiology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Neurobiologie -- Périodiques; 612.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2018.02.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-0082

Abstract

Highlights: DC potentials reflect changes in the level of excitation of the Brain. DC potentials induce by physiological or pathological brain activities. Several brain disorders produce abnormalities in physiological DC brain activity. Pathological DC brain waves have been observed in several neurological disorders. Monitoring of DC potentials may serve as diagnostic, prognostic, and treatment monitoring tools. Abstract: Brain direct current (DC) potentials denote sustained shifts and slow deflections of cerebral potentials superimposed with conventional electroencephalography (EEG) waves and reflect alterations in the excitation level of the cerebral cortex and subcortical structures. Using galvanometers, such sustained displacement of the EEG baseline was recorded in the early days of EEG recordings. To stabilize the EEG baseline and eliminate artefacts, EEG was performed later by voltage amplifiers with high-pass filters that dismiss slow DC potentials. This left slow DC potential recordings as a neglected diagnostic source in the routine clinical setting over the last few decades. Brain DC waves may arise from physiological processes or pathological phenomena. Recordings of DC potentials are fundamental electro-clinical signatures of some neurological and psychological disorders and may serve as diagnostic, prognostic, and treatment monitoring tools. We here review the utility of both physiological and pathological brain DC potentials in different aspects of neurological and psychological disorders. This may enhance our understanding of the role of brain DC potentials and improve our fundamental clinical and research strategies for brain disorders.