Harmonized-Multinational qEEG Norms (HarMNqEEG)

This paper extends our frequency domain quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) methods pursuing higher sensitivity to detect Brain Developmental Disorders. Prior qEEG work lacked integration of cross-spectral information omitting important functional connectivity descriptors. Lack of geographical diversity precluded accounting for site-specific variance, increasing qEEG nuisance variance. We ameliorate these weaknesses. i) Create lifespan Hermitian Riemannian multinational qEEG norms for cross-spectral tensors. These norms result from the HarMNqEEG project fostered by the Global Brain Consortium. We calculate the norms with data from 9 countries, 12 devices, and 14 studies, including 1564 subjects. Instead of raw data, only anonymized metadata and EEG cross-spectral tensors were shared. After visual and automatic quality control developmental equations for the mean and standard deviation of qEEG traditional and Hermitian Riemannian descriptive parameters were calculated using additive mixed-effects models. We demonstrate qEEG "batch effects" and provide methods to calculate harmonized z-scores. ii) We also show that the multinational harmonized Hermitian Riemannian norms produce z-scores with increased diagnostic accuracy to predict brain dysfunction at school-age produced by malnutrition only in the first year of life. We provide data and software for constructing norms. iii) We offer open code and data to calculate different individual z-scores from the HarMNqEEG dataset. These results contribute to developing bias-free, low-cost neuroimaging technologies applicable in various health settings.

Quantitative Electroencephalography as a Biomarker for Cognitive Dysfunction in Parkinson’s Disease

Background: Quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) has been suggested as a biomarker for cognitive decline in Parkinson’s disease (PD).Objective: Determine if applying a wavelet-based qEEG algorithm to 21-electrode, resting-state EEG recordings obtained in a routine clinical setting has utility for predicting cognitive impairment in PD.Methods: PD subjects, evaluated by disease stage and motor score, were compared to healthy controls (N = 20 each). PD subjects with normal (PDN, MoCA 26–30, N = 6) and impaired (PDD, MoCA ≤ 25, N = 14) cognition were compared. The wavelet-transform based time-frequency algorithm assessed the instantaneous predominant frequency (IPF) at 60 ms intervals throughout entire recordings. We then determined the relative time spent by the IPF in the four standard EEG frequency bands (RTF) at each scalp location. The resting occipital rhythm (ROR) was assessed using standard power spectral analysis.Results: Comparing PD subjects to healthy controls, mean values are decreased for ROR and RTF-Beta, greater for RTF-Theta and similar for RTF-Delta and RTF-Alpha. In logistic regression models, arithmetic combinations of RTF values [e.g., (RTF-Alpha) + (RTF-Beta)/(RTF-Delta + RTF-Theta)] and RTF-Alpha values at occipital or parietal locations are most able to discriminate between PD and controls. A principal component (PC) from principal component analysis (PCA) using RTF-band values in all subjects is associated with PD status (p = 0.004, β = 0.31, AUC = 0.780). Its loadings show positive contribution from RTF-Theta at all scalp locations, and negative contributions from RTF-Beta at occipital, parietal, central, and temporal locations. Compared to cognitively normal PD subjects, cognitively impaired PD subjects have lower median RTF-Alpha and RTF-Beta values, greater RTF-Theta values and similar RTF-Delta values. A PC from PCA using RTF-band values in PD subjects is associated with cognitive status (p = 0.002, β = 0.922, AUC = 0.89). Its loadings show positive contributions from RTF-Theta at all scalp locations, negative contributions from RTF-Beta at central locations, and negative contributions from RTF-Delta at central, frontal and temporal locations. Age, disease duration and/or sex are not significant covariates. No PC was associated with motor score or disease stage.Significance: Analyzing standard EEG recordings obtained in a community practice setting using a wavelet-based qEEG algorithm shows promise as a PD biomarker and for predicting cognitive impairment in PD.

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of the Effects of Two Sequential Doses of NV-5138 SPN-820 on Quantitative Electroencephalography in Healthy Adult Males

NV-5138 (or SPN-820) is a novel small molecule activator of the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) currently under development for use in treatment- resistant depression. This phase I study evaluated the safety, tolerability, and pharmacodynamics (as measured by quantitative electroencephalography, qEEG) of two sequential oral doses of NV-5138 in healthy adult males. Twenty-five participants were randomly assigned to double-blind treatment with a single dose of placebo or 2400 mg NV-5138 on Day 1, and a second dose of the same treatment on Day 3. The two doses of NV-5138 were safe and well tolerated, with no deaths, serious adverse events, or discontinuations due to adverse events. Spectral band amplitudes, derived frequency measures, and magnitude squared coherences were computed from qEEG recordings during resting state eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions at multiple timepoints. In the NV-5138 group only, significant changes in qEEG measures occurred at 1 hour post-dose on both days (near NV-5138 T max ), including decreases in low-frequency band amplitudes (theta) and increases in high-frequency EEG band amplitudes (high beta and gamma). These effects were mirrored by a decrease in the theta/beta ratio, a measure negatively associated with arousal and cognitive processing capability. Significantly increased high beta and gamma band coherences were also detected at several specific electrode pairs in both eyes-open and eye-closed conditions. NV-5138 actively modulated functional brain parameters consistent with positive effects on mood, cognition, and arousal. These results indicate that qEEG measures may be useful biomarkers of NV-5138 target engagement and related changes in neural activity.

Multimodal Monitoring in Large Hemispheric Infarction: Quantitative Electroencephalography Combined With Transcranial Doppler for Prognosis Prediction

Background: We aimed to explore whether transcranial Doppler (TCD) combined with quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) can improve prognosis evaluation in patients with a large hemispheric infarction (LHI) and to establish an accurate prognosis prediction model.Methods: We prospectively assessed 90-day mortality in patients with LHI. Brain function was monitored using TCD-QEEG at the bedside of the patient.Results: Of the 59 (55.3 ± 10.6 years; 17 men) enrolled patients, 37 (67.3%) patients died within 90 days. The Cox regression analyses revealed that the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score ≤ 8 [hazard ratio (HR), 3.228; 95% CI, 1.335–7.801; p = 0.009], TCD-terminal internal carotid artery as the offending vessel (HR, 3.830; 95% CI, 1.301–11.271; p = 0.015), and QEEG-a (delta + theta)/(alpha + beta) ratio ≥ 3 (HR, 3.647; 95% CI, 1.170–11.373; p = 0.026) independently predicted survival duration. Combining these three factors yielded an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.905 and had better predictive accuracy than those of individual variables (p < 0.05).Conclusion: TCD and QEEG complement the GCS score to create a reliable multimodal method for monitoring prognosis in patients with LHI.

Q-EEG map of parietal and frontal lobes out of brain waves recording during dental hypnosis practice

Introduction: A patient with fear and anxiety is a common case to deal with for a dentist, therefore, dental hypnosis has been widely used to ease this situation. In a hypnotized state, the human brain may easily accept any suggestion. This is projected in the brain waves. Electroencephalograph (EEG) is a brain wave recording device, reflecting several states of consciousness. Beta for conscious, alpha and theta for subconscious, and delta for sleep. Dental hypnosis puts down beta waves to alpha or theta. Quantitative Electroencephalography (Q-EEG) or brain mapping is a comprehensive analysis of (Electroencephalography, EEG) in a colored topographic map, reflecting the brain's electrical activity. The objective of this article was reporting the parietal and frontal lobes activity during dental hypnosis based on the Q-EEG mapping. Methods: The research applied a quantitative research method using observatory study. The sample was taken with an accidental sampling method, with inclusion criteria, patients with dental anxiety and exclusion criteria was patients with special need and high level of dental anxiety. Data of the EEG records was taken in January-March 2018, and processed after in Pramita laboratorium Bandung. Results: Parietal lobe affected more during the inducement than temporal lobe. During dental hypnosis, the hypnotic markers (theta and alpha states) observed from the EEG were found to be more reactive. Conclusion: Dental hypnosis effects can be observed easily using Quantitative Electroencephalography method. Dental hypnosis affects brainwaves and brain mapping which indicate relaxations of brain waves especially on parietal lobes.

Quantitative Electroencephalography for Early Detection of Elevated Intracranial Pressure in Critically Ill Children: Case Series and Proposed Protocol

Objective: To describe quantitative EEG (electroencephalography) suppression ratio in children with increased intracranial pressure comparing acute suppression ratio changes to imaging and/or examination findings. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the suppression ratio from patients with neuroimaging and /or examination findings of increased intracranial pressure while on continuous EEG. The time of the first change in the suppression ratio was compared to the time of the first image and/or examination change confirming increased intracranial pressure. Results: Thirteen patients with a median age of 3.1 years(interquartile range 1.8-6.3) had a rise in the suppression ratio with median time from identification to acute neuroimaging or examination of increased intracranial pressure of 3.12 hours (interquartile range 2.2-33.5) after the first increase in the suppression ratio. Conclusions: Acute suppression ratio increase is seen prior to imaging and/or examination findings of increased intracranial pressure. With further study, the suppression ratio can be targeted with intracranial pressure–lowering agents to prevent morbidity and mortality associated with increased intracranial pressure.