Prestimulus EEG alpha phase synchronicity influences N100 amplitude and reaction time

The influence of the level of prestimulus alpha phase synchronicity on the N100 component and reaction time (RT) was examined, in target auditory oddball data from 25 normal subjects. Alpha phase synchronicity is a new measure consisting (for a given stimulus presentation) of the angular or circular variance of the alpha phase at stimulus onset across the parieto-occipital sites. The lower the angular variance, the higher the phase synchronicity (the more closely in phase the alpha activity across these sites) and vice versa. Subaveraged event-related potentials (ERPs) were formed for high and low prestimulus alpha phase synchronicity stimulus presentations. N100 amplitude was significantly greater in the high than the low phase synchronicity subaverages. In addition, RT was significantly reduced in the high prestimulus alpha phase synchronicity cases. Alpha phase synchronicity reflects an aspect of brain state that influences subsequent stimulus processing.     

偏执型精神分裂症病人与正常人脑电图向量分析

目的 :用向量分析法处理脑电图 ,为脑电图研究提供一个新的手段。方法 :将 94例偏执型精神分裂症病人 (病人组 )与 35例正常人 (对照组 )的脑电向量分析结果进行比较。结果 :病人组中 6 9例异常 ,2 5例正常。对照组中 ,1例异常 ,34例正常。结论 :脑电信息流的向量分析技术 ,对精神病人的临床诊断有重要价值。     

基于替代检验的部分相位同步指数的脑电信号分析

目的针对脑电数据的部分相位同步指数(partial phase synchronization index,PPSI)对数据长度的敏感性而引起计算PPSI时的不准确性等问题,本文提出基于替代检验算法以分析PPSI,进而找到计算PPSI时最优的数据长度。方法基于4种常见的替代数据生成法对10组脑电数据分别生成替代数据,并分析其显著性阈值与原始数据的PPSI的相关系数,选出最合适的替代数据生成法,然后基于选出的替代数据生成法分析脑电数据在多个长度下PPSI的显著性。结果结果显示RSS(rankshuffled surrogate)算法得出的阈值与原始脑电信号的PPSI的相关系数最小,在3~18个周期长度下数据的阈值显著性在一个合理范围内。结论基于RSS算法更适合于脑电信号的PPSI的分析,并且发现3~18个周期长度下的脑电数据更适合分析PPSI。     

EEG differences in monozygotic twins discordant and concordant for schizophrenia

In an electroencephalographic (EEG) study of 27 pairs of monozygotic (MZ) twins discordant for schizophrenia, 13 pairs of MZ twins concordant for schizophrenia, 40 pairs of healthy MZ twins, and 91 healthy, unrelated subjects with repeated assessments, we investigated (a) the trait quality of brainwave patterns with respect to interindividual differences, intraindividual stability over time, and within-pair MZ concordance; (b) the EEG characteristics that enable discrimination between affected and unaffected individuals; and (c) the EEG characteristics that reflect the severity of illness. In comparison with healthy control subjects, the MZ twins who were discordant and concordant for schizophrenia exhibited a much lower within-pair EEG concordance, so that EEG abnormalities associated with schizophrenia and manifested differently in the co-twins concordant for schizophrenia seemed to reflect nongenetic, pathological developments of genetically identical brains.     

Resting EEG in first-episode schizophrenia patients, bipolar psychosis patients, and their first-degree relatives

We evaluated the resting electroencephalogram (EEG) of 50 first-episode schizophrenia patients and 55 of their relatives, 31 first-episode bipolar patients and 35 of their relatives, and 113 nonpsychiatric subjects and 42 of their relatives. The frequency characteristics of the EEG showed moderate stability for a subgroup of these subjects (n= 106) who were tested twice, approximately 9 months apart. Both the schizophrenia and bipolar patients showed a generalized pattern of increased delta and theta and decreased alpha activity. The bipolar patients demonstrated additional right hemisphere activity that was not present among the schizophrenia patients and nonpsychiatric subjects, a finding consistent with hypotheses concerning nondominant hemisphere involvement in the regulation of elated mood. The schizophrenia patients' female relatives and/or relatives with affective disorders and the bipolar patients had significantly reduced peak alpha frequencies. This finding may be related to reduced information processing capacity among these subjects.     

Greater impairment in negative emotion evaluation ability in patients with paranoid schizophrenia

To explore whether or not patients with schizophrenia display a more profound impairment of negative emotion processing, we assessed the implicit evaluation of positive and negative emotional stimuli. Twenty patients with schizophrenia (9 paranoid, 11 non-paranoid) and 22 normal controls were instructed to classify emotional pictures according to the intrinsic valence if the pictures were black and white. If the stimuli were color-filtered, participants were instructed to press the positive/negative response key according to the extrinsic valence (assigned valence of color). The error rates of the color-filtered stimuli were used as dependent measures. Normal controls made more errors on trials of the positive pictures when the correct response was the negative response key than when the correct response was the positive response key. The reverse was true on trials of the negative pictures. Patients with schizophrenia, especially paranoid schizophrenia, committed more errors in trials of the positive pictures when the correct response key was the negative response key. However, the reverse was not true on trials of the negative pictures. These findings suggest that patients with paranoid schizophrenia might suffer from an impaired ability to evaluate negative emotions and have a loosening of association within their negative emotional networks.     

脑电同步性分析在癫痫机制研究中的应用

脑电相位同步性是研究癫痫超同步放电机制的方向之一。介绍了应用Hilbert变换提取脑电的瞬时相位的方法,分析脑电相位同步性的互相关法、互信息法和同步指数法,以及脑电信号的小波变换,综述了以上方法在癫痫发作的超同步放电机制研究中的应用。     

Comparison of Power Spectrum Predictors in Computing Coherence Functions for Intracortical EEG Signals

The present study compares two Auto-Regressive (AR) model based (Burg Method (BM) and Yule Walker Method) and two subspace based (Eigen Method and Multiple Signal Classification Method) power spectral density predictors in computing the Coherence Function (CF) to observe EEG synchronization between right and left hemispheres. For this purpose, two channels intracortical EEG series recorded from WAG/Rij rats (a genetic model for human absence epilepsy) are analyzed. In tests, AR model-based predictors result the close performance such that the CF estimations are sensitive to the AR model order. Dealing with the subspace-based predictors; certain peaks in CF estimations can also be detected in case of low noise subspace dimension. Besides, they are more computational complexity. In conclusion, high order BM is proposed in EEG synchronization. The results support that each EEG sequence probably meets a high order AR model where the dimension of the related noise subspace is relatively low in comparison to the model order.     

EEG phase synchronization during hypnosis induction

Hypnosis is a mental state or set of attitudes usually induced by a procedure known as hypnotic induction. In order to provide the basic physiological conditions for potentially successful hypnosis treatment of medical and psychological problems, the determination of a subject’s hypnotizability level is important. Currently, the hypnotizability level is determined using different standard subjective tests. To avoid the different drawbacks of these subjective clinical tests, a practical objective method based on the correlation between electroencephalograph (EEG) phase synchronization and hypnosis susceptibility levels is presented in this study. This method can be used by clinicians instead of the traditional subjective methods to classify hypnotizability level. Thirty-two subjects with different hypnosis susceptibility levels contributed to this research. Using statistical analyses, it was concluded that, in highly hypnotizable people, the EEG phase synchronization between different paired channels, located on the frontal lobe, is significantly different from that in subjects with medium or low hypnotizability.     

Wavelet-based estimation of EEG coherence during Chinese Stroop task

Wavelet-based estimation of instantaneous EEG coherence was applied to investigate the synchronization of different brain regions whilst 10 subjects performing Stroop task presented in Chinese. In contrast to coherence based on Fourier transform, wavelet-based coherence, which does not depend on the stationarity of signals, applies an adaptive window to the frequency of the signal and has a more accurate time-frequency resolution. In the present study, a greater negativity for the incongruent situation than congruent situation appeared from 350 to 600 ms post-stimulus onset over frontal, central, and parietal regions, and significantly higher EEG coherences for the incongruent situation than congruent situation were observed over frontal, parietal, and frontoparietal regions from 100 to 400 ms at beta1 (13-18Hz) frequency band, which was found to be sensitive in the discrimination between congruent and incongruent situations. The findings in the present study may indicate that functional synchronization as indexed by EEG coherence at beta1 frequency band is enhanced at the earlier stage while processing the conflicting information from the incongruent stimulus, and that beta1 frequency band is close related to interactions of brain areas in the selected attention task.     

Reliability of event‐related EEG functional connectivity during visual entrainment: Magnitude squared coherence and phase synchrony estimates

There is an increasing trend towards using noninvasive electroencephalography (EEG) to quantify functional brain connectivity. However, little is known about the psychometrics of commonly used functional connectivity indices. We examined the internal consistency of two different connectivity metrics: magnitude squared coherence and phase synchrony. EEG was recorded during visual entrainment to elicit a strong oscillatory component of known frequency. We found acceptable to good split‐half reliability for the connectivity metrics when computing all possible pairwise interactions and after selecting an a priori seed reference. We also compared reliability estimates when using average referenced sensor versus reference independent current source density EEG data. Additional considerations were given to determining how reliability was influenced by factors including trial number, signal‐to‐noise ratio, and frequency content.     

Sleep and EEG profile in neonatal hippocampal lesion model of schizophrenia

Sleep architecture, EEG power pattern and locomotor activity were investigated in a putative animal model of schizophrenia. The model was prepared by excitotoxic damage of the ventral hippocampus on postnatal day 7 (PD 7), after which locomotor activity and electroencephalographic (EEG) sleep profile were compared between lesioned and sham operated animals respectively, at prepuberty (postnatal day PD 35) and postpuberty (PD 56). An enhancement of locomotor activity was observed in lesioned adult PD 56, but not in juvenile PD 35 rats. Spontaneous EEG/EMG recordings during 24 h showed no major differences between both groups at PD 35 and at PD 56. However, quantitative analysis of the EEG revealed an enhancement of power in delta (delta), theta (theta) and alpha (alpha) activities in lesioned animals at PD 35 during wakefulness in both light and dark phases. At PD 56, the power in the delta and theta bands was increased during the light and dark periods in both wakefulness and non-REM sleep. These findings suggest that ventral hippocampus lesion is not associated with disturbance of sleep architecture in rats, while consistent changes were observed in the dynamic of EEG slow wave frequency domain. Thus, the data indicate that neonatal lesion of ventral hippocampus did not mimic sleep abnormalities observed in schizophrenia, however this rodent model may model some EEG features seen in schizophrenia such as a frontally pronounced slowing of the slow EEG activity in delta and theta frequency bands.     

Abnormal mechanisms of antisaccade generation in schizophrenia patients and unaffected biological relatives of schizophrenia patients

Although errant saccadic eye movements may mark genetic factors in schizophrenia, little is known about abnormal brain activity that precedes saccades in individuals with genetic liability for schizophrenia. We investigated electrophysiological activity preceding prosaccades and antisaccades in schizophrenia patients, first‐degree biological relatives of schizophrenia patients, and control subjects. Prior to antisaccades, patients had reduced potentials over lateral prefrontal cortex. Smaller potentials were associated with worse antisaccade performance. Relatives also exhibited reduced pre‐saccadic potentials over lateral frontal cortex but additionally had reduced potentials over parietal cortex. Both patients and relatives tended toward increased activity over orbital frontal cortex prior to saccades. Results are consistent with lateral prefrontal dysfunction marking genetic liability for schizophrenia and underlying deficient saccadic control.     

Heritability of EEG coherence in a large sib-pair population

The additive genetic heritability of bipolar EEG coherence in a sample of 305 non-twin sibships comprising 690 individuals (age range 7-65) was estimated. Heritabilities were examined in 6 frequency bands for each of 15 coherence pairs, both interhemispheric and intrahemispheric. The heritabilities of the bipolar EEG coherence ranged from 0.22 to 0.63 in 79 of the 90 phenotypes which had coherences high enough to provide meaningful values for the estimation of heritability. Heritabilities were greatest in the low and high alpha frequency bands, while theta and beta bands had comparable heritabilities. Coherences themselves were greatest in the low and high alpha frequency bands, while theta coherences were somewhat larger than beta. Higher heritability values were not associated with higher coherences. The examination of bivariate genetic correlations suggests that there is a difference between theta and alpha bands in genetic control of interhemispheric coherence.     

间歇闪光定量脑电图在精神疾病患者中的应用

目的 :探讨定量脑电图 (QEEG)在精神疾病中的应用。方法 :对 6 0例常规EEG正常的精神疾病病人进行了QEEG检查 ,其中精神分裂症、双相情感障碍及儿童期和青春期行为障碍各 2 0例。分别测量枕部O1、Oz和O2 处安静时和 5Hz、10Hz及 15Hz间歇性闪光刺激 (IPS)的光驱反应 10s区间的α波绝对和相对功率。结果 :与安静时α功率相比较 ,所有病人的α功率在 5Hz、15HzIPS时减退 ,10HzIPS时增高 ,以精神分裂症病人表现最明显 ,并在Oz处最显著 ,可能为精神病理学的一种表达式。但 3类病人之间的α波绝对或相对功率相比较 ,差异无统计学意义 (P >0 0 5 )。结论 :QEEG能够定量测定光驱反应的脑电功率谱变化 ,对常规EEG正常的精神疾病有一定的临床诊断价值。     

EEG power mapping,dipole source and coherence analysis in chernobyl patients

Summary EEG power mapping, coherence analysis, source localization of epileptiform activity and psychoneurological investigations were performed in 100 patients (males, 25–45 years old, right-handed), who took part in the cleaning of the Chernobyl disaster in 1986–1987, and compared with a control group (healthy persons of the same age). Neuropsychological studies showed autonomie, endocrine, emotional and other disorders in all patients. About 70% of all patients had paroxysmal EEG activity and intermittent seizures sometimes associated with loss of consciousness. EEG power mapping showed higher than normal levels of alpha- and theta-bands power, mainly in the frontal and central areas in the one group of patients. In others, power was lower especially in alpha-band. Paroxysmal waves of alpha- and theta-bands had localization of dipole sources at deeper near midline levels, and as a rule with a shift to the right hemisphere. Paroxysmal beta-waves demonstrated sources of a diffuse character at a more basal level with a shift to the left hemisphere. Interhemispheric coherences had lower values in the frontal and higher in the central leads than in healthy persons. Intrahemispheric coherences were decreased in the left hemisphere and increased in the right, opposite to that in controls.     

Review of advanced techniques for the estimation of brain connectivity measured with EEG/MEG

Brain connectivity can be modeled and quantified with a large number of techniques. The main objective of this paper is to present the most modern and widely established mathematical methods for calculating connectivity that is commonly applied to functional high resolution multichannel neurophysiological signals, including electroencephalographic (EEG) and magnetoencephalographic (MEG) signals. A historical timeline of each technique is outlined along with some illustrative applications. The most crucial underlying assumptions of the presented methodologies are discussed in order to help the reader understand where each technique fits into the bigger picture of measuring brain connectivity. In this endeavor, linear, nonlinear, causality-assessing and information-based techniques are summarized in the framework of measuring functional and effective connectivity. Model based vs. data-driven techniques and bivariate vs. multivariate methods are also discussed. Finally, certain important caveats (i.e. stationarity assumption) pertaining to the applicability of the methods are also illustrated along with some examples of clinical applications.     

EEG network connectivity changes in mild cognitive impairment — Preliminary results

Resting state EEGs were compared between patients with amnestic subtype of mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and matched elderly controls at two times over a one year period. The study aimed at investigating the role of functional connectivity between and within different brain regions in relation to the progression of cognitive deficit in MCI. The EEG was recorded in two sessions during eyes closed and eyes open resting conditions. Functional brain connectivity was investigated based on the measurement of phase synchronization in different frequency bands. Delta and theta synchronization characteristics indicated decreased level of local and large-scale connectivity in the patients within the frontal, between the frontal and temporal, and frontal and parietal brain areas which was more pronounced 1 year later. As a consequence of opening the eyes connectivity in the alpha1 band within the parietal lobe decreased compared to the eyes closed condition but only in the control group. The lack of alpha1 band reactivity following eye opening could reliably differentiate patients from controls. Our preliminary results support the notion that the functional disconnection between distant brain areas is a characteristic feature of MCI, and may prove to be predictive in terms of the progression of this condition.     

Differences in Resting EEG Related to Ability

The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between different EEG measures (mean power, mean frequency, approximated entropy and coherence), and ability (creativity and intelligence). For that purpose the EEG of 115 student-teachers (Intelligence: Creativity - standardized scores: was recorded while they were resting with eyes open and closed. The study showed only weak correlations between measures based on the level of activity in different areas (mean power, mean frequency and approximated entropy) and creativity. The correlations with IQ scores were even less pronounced. On the other hand, coherence measures showed a much more intense relationship both with creativity as well as with intelligence. In the eyes-open state these differences were mainly distributed over the right hemisphere. The results are discussed in the light of different theories relating brain functioning and ability.     

Quantitative EEG in elderly depressives

Summary Thirty-one elderly depressive patients were evaluated with topographic, quantitative EEG using relative measures, absolute measures, and computations of interhemispheric asymmetry and interhemispheric coherence in four frequency bands: delta, theta, alpha and beta. Patients were found to have lower than normal delta, higher than normal theta, higher than normal alpha and lower than normal beta values. EEG values were greater over the left than the right hemisphere in theta, alpha and beta bands. Lower than normal anterior interhemispheric coherence was found in all four frequency bands.Research supported, in part, by DA06728, MH12507, GCRC MO1-RR00349, BSRG SO7-RR05417 and by the Einstein Society. We wish to thank Mrs. Anna Cornwell, Mrs. Eleanor Dixon, Mr. Stephen Slepner and Dr. Denise Sharon for assistance in this study.