Disrupted resting-state EEG alpha-band interactions as a novel marker for the severity of visual field deficits after brain lesion. Issue 9 (September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Allaman, Leslie; Mottaz, Anaïs; Guggisberg, Adrian G.
• Is Part Of: Clinical neurophysiology. Volume 132:Issue 9(2021)
• Page Start: 2101
• Page End: 2109
• Publication Date: 2021-09
• Subjects: Homonymous visual field deficit -- Functional connectivity -- Alpha-band -- Task-induced activation; Neurophysiology -- Periodicals; Electroencephalography -- Periodicals; Electromyography -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; 612.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2021.05.029
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1388-2457

Abstract

Highlights: Visual field deficits are related to reduced task-related activations and spontaneous coupling in the alpha-band. Spontaneous α-band interactions are the best predictor of deficit among these two markers. Spontaneous α-band coupling of ipsilesional visual areas could be a target for rehabilitation. Abstract: Objective: Homonymous visual field deficits (HFVDs) are frequent following brain lesions. Current restoration treatments aim at activating areas of residual vision through numerous stimuli, but show limited effect. Recent findings suggest that spontaneous neural α-band coupling is more efficient for enabling visual perception in healthy humans than task-induced activations. Here, we evaluated whether it is also associated with the severity of HFVD. Methods: Ten patients with HFVDs after brain damage in the subacute to chronic stage and ten matched healthy controls underwent visual stimulation with alternating checkerboards and electroencephalography recordings of stimulation-induced power changes and of spontaneous neural interactions during rest. Results: Visual areas of the affected hemisphere showed reduced event-related power decrease in α and β frequency bands, but also reduced spontaneous α-band interactions during rest, as compared to contralesional areas and healthy controls. A multivariate stepwise regression retained the degree of disruption of spontaneous interactions, but not the reduced task-induced power changes as predictor for the severity of the visual deficit. Conclusions: Spontaneous α-band interactions of visual areas appear as a better marker for the severity of HFVDs than task-induced activations. Significance: Treatment attempts of HFVDs should try to enhance spontaneous α-band coupling of structurally intact ipsilesional areas.