Using noninvasive, sensitive and low-cost event-related potentials (ERP) to distinguish cognitively normal elderly from mild cognitive impaired (MCI) elderly is an effective way to prevent Alzheimer's Disease early. Traditional Electroencephalogram (EEG) studies have found that under the delayed match to sample (DMS) working memory task, the left frontal region ERP can effectively distinguish amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and normal aging. However, traditional EEG is time-consuming and labor-intensive, and it is not convenient for the promotion and application of early detection in the community.
Therefore, this study intends to use two samples under the background of wireless headset, based on two studies, to explore the differentiation of ERP based on DMS task on different populations and the stability of the results, as well as the specificity of the working memory function of the ERP.
Study 1 examined the differentiation of different populations by ERP based on a DMS task under a wireless headset. Two samples were included, the first sample include 66 subjects in total (normal /MCI: 28/38); the second sample included 57 subjects in total (normal/aMCI: 21/36). Both sample subjects collected demographic- related variables and completed the DMS EEG task. It was found that there were no significant differences in the response time and accuracy between the two groups, and greater matching-induced ERP effects were seen in the right frontal regions in all groups, while larger mismatch-induced ERP effects were seen in the left frontal regions.
In study 2, based on sample 1, examined the specificity of working memory function of the ERP effect in the left frontal region. All subjects completed a set of neuropsychological tests and laboratory tasks covering different cognitive abilities. Correlation analysis was used to test the correlation between the standard scores of the left frontal area and the standard scores of different cognitive abilities. The results showed that the ERP effect was only significantly negatively correlated with the working memory response time.
In conclusion, this study found that the left frontal region ERP evoked based on the working memory DMS task could not significantly distinguish between normal aging and MCI, and EEG were not more sensitive than behavioral. However, the ERP effect in the left frontal region was specific to working memory. The results provide a partial reference for the future noninvasive and portable early detection of MCI in the community.
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