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Chan MMY, Choi CXT, Tsoi TCW, Zhong J, Han YMY. Clinical and neuropsychological correlates of theta-band functional excitation-inhibition ratio in autism: An EEG study. Clin Neurophysiol 2024; 163:56-67. [PMID: 38703700 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2024.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE How abnormal brain signaling impacts cognition in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remained elusive. This study aimed to investigate the local and global brain signaling in ASD indicated by theta-band functional excitation-inhibition (fE/I) ratio and explored psychophysiological relationships between fE/I, cognitive deficits, and ASD symptomatology. METHODS A total of 83 ASD and typically developing (TD) individuals participated in this study. Participants' interference control and set-shifting abilities were assessed. Resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) was used for estimating theta-band fE/I ratio. RESULTS ASD individuals (n = 31 without visual EEG abnormality; n = 22 with visual EEG abnormality) generally performed slower in a cognitive task tapping interference control and set-maintenance abilities, but only ASD individuals with visually abnormal EEG performed significantly slower than their TD counterparts (Bonferroni-corrected ps < .001). Heightened theta-band fE/I ratios at the whole-head level, left and right hemispheres were observed in the ASD subgroup without visual EEG abnormality only (Bonferroni-corrected ps < .001), which remained highly significant when only data from medication-naïve participants were analyzed. In addition, higher left hemispheric fE/I ratios in ASD individuals without visual EEG abnormality were significantly correlated with faster interference control task performance, in turn faster reaction time was significantly associated with less severe restricted, repetitive behavior (Bonferroni-corrected ps ≤ .0017). CONCLUSIONS Differential theta-band fE/I within the ASD population. Heightened theta-band fE/I in ASD without visual EEG abnormality may be associated with more efficient filtering of distractors and a less severe ASD symptom manifestation. SIGNIFICANCE Brain signaling, indicated by theta-band fE/I, was different in ASD subgroups. Only ASD with visually-normal EEG showed heightened theta-band fE/I, which was associated with faster processing of visual distractors during a cognitive task. More efficient distractor filtering was associated with less restricted, repetitive behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melody M Y Chan
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Coco X T Choi
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Tom C W Tsoi
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Junpei Zhong
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Yvonne M Y Han
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; University Research Facility in Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience (UBSN), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
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Modarres M, Cochran D, Kennedy DN, Frazier JA. Comparison of comprehensive quantitative EEG metrics between typically developing boys and girls in resting state eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions. Front Hum Neurosci 2023; 17:1237651. [PMID: 38021243 PMCID: PMC10659091 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2023.1237651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction A majority of published studies comparing quantitative EEG (qEEG) in typically developing (TD) children and children with neurodevelopmental or psychiatric disorders have used a control group (e.g., TD children) that combines boys and girls. This suggests a widespread supposition that typically developing boys and girls have similar brain activity at all locations and frequencies, allowing the data from TD boys and girls to be aggregated in a single group. Methods In this study, we have rigorously challenged this assumption by performing a comprehensive qEEG analysis on EEG recoding of TD boys (n = 84) and girls (n = 62), during resting state eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions (EEG recordings from Child Mind Institute's Healthy Brain Network (HBN) initiative). Our qEEG analysis was performed over narrow-band frequencies (e.g., separating low α from high α, etc.), included sex, age, and head size as covariates in the analysis, and encompassed computation of a wide range of qEEG metrics that included both absolute and relative spectral power levels, regional hemispheric asymmetry, and inter- and intra-hemispheric magnitude coherences as well as phase coherency among cortical regions. We have also introduced a novel compact yet comprehensive visual presentation of the results that allows comparison of the qEEG metrics of boys and girls for the entire EEG locations, pairs, and frequencies in a single graph. Results Our results show there are wide-spread EEG locations and frequencies where TD boys and girls exhibit differences in their absolute and relative spectral powers, hemispheric power asymmetry, and magnitude coherence and phase synchrony. Discussion These findings strongly support the necessity of including sex, age, and head size as covariates in the analysis of qEEG of children, and argue against combining data from boys and girls. Our analysis also supports the utility of narrow-band frequencies, e.g., dividing α, β, and γ band into finer sub-scales. The results of this study can serve as a comprehensive normative qEEG database for resting state studies in children containing both eyes open and eyes closed paradigms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mo Modarres
- The Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - David Cochran
- The Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
- The Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School/UMass Memorial Health Care, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - David N. Kennedy
- The Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Jean A. Frazier
- The Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
- The Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School/UMass Memorial Health Care, Worcester, MA, United States
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Wang J, Wang H, Jiang J, Cheng X, Xu K, Xia F, Chang L, Ji Y, Feng Z. The Validity of Virtual Courage for Trainees in High-Risk Occupations. Psychol Res Behav Manag 2022; 15:1783-1796. [PMID: 35860202 PMCID: PMC9292066 DOI: 10.2147/prbm.s371653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Employees in high-risk occupations are exposed to tremendous work stress that hinders organizational effectiveness and personal mental health. Based on positive psychology, courage can be considered a protective factor that buffers the adverse effect of high-risk surroundings on employees. However, little is known about the way courage is simulated or evaluated in response to safety concerns. Virtual reality (VR) is an accessible tool for courage simulation due to its immersive qualities, presence and interactive features and may provide a promising pathway to achieve a scientific, accurate and ecologically valid evaluation of high-risk employees. Methods The sample consisted of 51 high-risk employees who were recruited voluntarily. Before and after experiencing the VR courage scenarios, the participants completed the VR features questionnaire, the Physical Courage at Work Scale (PCWS), the Courage Measure (CM), and the Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS). During the process of watching the VR courage scenarios, the participants’ heart rate and skin conductance at resting-state baseline and during virtual courage scenarios were recorded through HTC VIVE Pro Eye and BioGraph Infiniti 8. Results The results support the hypothesis and reveal that the interaction, immersion and presence scores of the scenarios were all significantly higher than the median 4 points. The score for the CM in the posttest was significantly higher than that in the pretest. The scared and afraid scores for the posttest were significantly higher than those for the pretest. The heart rate and skin conductance of each scenario showed an increase compared with the baseline. The Pearson’s correlation between physiological indicators and the score of the PCWS was 0.28~0.54. Conclusion This study developed virtual courage for high-risk occupations based on well-established theory and VR technology. Experimental data revealed that the paradigm conformed to the requirements of VR features and was able to activate fear and evoke the quality of courage. Thus, the virtual courage paradigms have good validity in simulating scenarios for high-risk employees, which might accelerate organizational effectiveness while buffering working stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Wang
- Department of Developmental Psychology of Armyman, School of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Huizhong Wang
- School of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Juan Jiang
- School of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaotong Cheng
- Unit 32298 of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, Weifang, People's Republic of China
| | - Ke Xu
- Shigatse Branch, Xinqiao Hospital, Army 953 Hospital, Army Medical University, Shigatse, People's Republic of China
| | - Fan Xia
- School of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Le Chang
- School of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yede Ji
- Army Engineering University, Xuzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhengzhi Feng
- Department of Developmental Psychology of Armyman, School of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
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Nan W, Wan M, Jiang Y, Shi X, Wan F, Cai D. Alpha/Theta Ratio Neurofeedback Training for Attention Enhancement in Normal Developing Children: A Brief Report. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback 2022; 47:223-229. [PMID: 35691974 DOI: 10.1007/s10484-022-09550-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Attention plays an important role in children's development and learning, and neurofeedback training (NFT) has been proposed as a promising method to improve attention, mainly in population with attention problems such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. However, whether this approach has a positive effect on attention in normal developing children has been rarely investigated. This pilot study conducted ten sessions of alpha/theta ratio (ATR) NFT on eight primary students in school environment, with two to three sessions per week. The results showed inter-individual difference in NFT learning efficacy that was assessed by the slope of ATR over training sessions. In addition, the attention performance was significantly improved after NFT. Importantly, the improvement of attention performance was positively correlated with the NFT learning efficacy. It thus highlighted the need for optimizing ATR NFT protocol for the benefits on attention at the individual level. Future work can employ a double-blind placebo-controlled design with larger sample size to validate the benefits of ATR NFT for attention in normal developing children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenya Nan
- Department of Psychology, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mengqi Wan
- Department of Psychology, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yali Jiang
- Department of Psychology, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoping Shi
- Department of Psychology, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Feng Wan
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Macau, Macau, China
- Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Institute of Collaborative Innovation, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Dan Cai
- Department of Psychology, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, China.
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Rajabi S, Pakize A, Moradi N. Effect of combined neurofeedback and game-based cognitive training on the treatment of ADHD: A randomized controlled study. APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY-CHILD 2019; 9:193-205. [PMID: 30734583 DOI: 10.1080/21622965.2018.1556101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Neurofeedback (NF) is referred to as a "possibly efficacious" treatment in the current evidence-based reviews; therefore, more research is needed to determine its effects especially in combination with other treatments. The present study examines the effect of NF and game-based cognitive training on children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Thirty-two male students with ADHD were assigned to NF (N = 16; Mage=10.20; SD = 1.03) and waiting list control (N = 16; Mage = 10.05; SD = 0.83) in a randomized double-blind trial. The children in the NF group based on quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) attended 30 three times-weekly sessions. The children were examined in pretest and post-test with EEG, Integrated Visual and Auditory Continuous Performance (IVA), and Conners Parent, and Teacher Rating Scales-Revised. The treatment was found significant all the symptom variables except for attention deficit (AD) and auditory response control (ARC). Normalization of the atypical EEG features with reduced [Formula: see text] wave and increased sensory motor (SMR) activity in central zero (Cz) was recorded in the NF condition participants. However, except for SMR activity there were no significant changes in the waves of frontocentral zero (FCz). It is concluded that technology developments provide an interesting vehicle for interposing interventions and that combined NF and game-based cognitive training can produce positive therapeutic effects on brainwaves and ADHD symptomatology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soran Rajabi
- General Psychology, Persian Gulf University, Boushehr, Iran
| | - Ali Pakize
- General Psychology, Persian Gulf University, Boushehr, Iran
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Newson JJ, Thiagarajan TC. EEG Frequency Bands in Psychiatric Disorders: A Review of Resting State Studies. Front Hum Neurosci 2019; 12:521. [PMID: 30687041 PMCID: PMC6333694 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2018.00521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 331] [Impact Index Per Article: 66.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
A significant proportion of the electroencephalography (EEG) literature focuses on differences in historically pre-defined frequency bands in the power spectrum that are typically referred to as alpha, beta, gamma, theta and delta waves. Here, we review 184 EEG studies that report differences in frequency bands in the resting state condition (eyes open and closed) across a spectrum of psychiatric disorders including depression, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, addiction, bipolar disorder, anxiety, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and schizophrenia to determine patterns across disorders. Aggregating across all reported results we demonstrate that characteristic patterns of power change within specific frequency bands are not necessarily unique to any one disorder but show substantial overlap across disorders as well as variability within disorders. In particular, we show that the most dominant pattern of change, across several disorder types including ADHD, schizophrenia and OCD, is power increases across lower frequencies (delta and theta) and decreases across higher frequencies (alpha, beta and gamma). However, a considerable number of disorders, such as PTSD, addiction and autism show no dominant trend for spectral change in any direction. We report consistency and validation scores across the disorders and conditions showing that the dominant result across all disorders is typically only 2.2 times as likely to occur in the literature as alternate results, and typically with less than 250 study participants when summed across all studies reporting this result. Furthermore, the magnitudes of the results were infrequently reported and were typically small at between 20% and 30% and correlated weakly with symptom severity scores. Finally, we discuss the many methodological challenges and limitations relating to such frequency band analysis across the literature. These results caution any interpretation of results from studies that consider only one disorder in isolation, and for the overall potential of this approach for delivering valuable insights in the field of mental health.
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Tian Y, Yang L, Xu W, Zhang H, Wang Z, Zhang H, Zheng S, Shi Y, Xu P. Predictors for drug effects with brain disease: Shed new light from EEG parameters to brain connectomics. Eur J Pharm Sci 2017; 110:26-36. [PMID: 28456573 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2017.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2017] [Revised: 04/24/2017] [Accepted: 04/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Though researchers spent a lot of effort to develop treatments for neuropsychiatric disorders, the poor translation of drug efficacy data from animals to human hampered the success of these therapeutic approaches in human. Pharmaceutical industry is challenged by low clinical success rates for new drug registration. To maximize the success in drug development, biomarkers are required to act as surrogate end points and predictors of drug effects. The pathology of brain disease could be in part due to synaptic dysfunction. Electroencephalogram (EEG), generating from the result of the postsynaptic potential discharge between cells, could be a potential measure to bridge the gaps between animal and human data. Here we discuss recent progress on using relevant EEG characteristics and brain connectomics as biomarkers to monitor drug effects and measure cognitive changes on animal models and human in real-time. It is expected that the novel approach, i.e. EEG connectomics, will offer a deeper understanding on the drug efficacy at a microcirculatory level, which will be useful to support the development of new treatments for neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin Tian
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Key Laboratory of Photoelectronic Information Sensing and Transmitting Technology, High School Innovation Team of Architecture and Core Technologies of Smart Medical System, ChongQing University of Posts and Telecommunications, ChongQing 400065, China.
| | - Li Yang
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Key Laboratory of Photoelectronic Information Sensing and Transmitting Technology, High School Innovation Team of Architecture and Core Technologies of Smart Medical System, ChongQing University of Posts and Telecommunications, ChongQing 400065, China
| | - Wei Xu
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Key Laboratory of Photoelectronic Information Sensing and Transmitting Technology, High School Innovation Team of Architecture and Core Technologies of Smart Medical System, ChongQing University of Posts and Telecommunications, ChongQing 400065, China
| | - Huiling Zhang
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Key Laboratory of Photoelectronic Information Sensing and Transmitting Technology, High School Innovation Team of Architecture and Core Technologies of Smart Medical System, ChongQing University of Posts and Telecommunications, ChongQing 400065, China
| | - Zhongyan Wang
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Key Laboratory of Photoelectronic Information Sensing and Transmitting Technology, High School Innovation Team of Architecture and Core Technologies of Smart Medical System, ChongQing University of Posts and Telecommunications, ChongQing 400065, China
| | - Haiyong Zhang
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Key Laboratory of Photoelectronic Information Sensing and Transmitting Technology, High School Innovation Team of Architecture and Core Technologies of Smart Medical System, ChongQing University of Posts and Telecommunications, ChongQing 400065, China
| | - Shuxing Zheng
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Key Laboratory of Photoelectronic Information Sensing and Transmitting Technology, High School Innovation Team of Architecture and Core Technologies of Smart Medical System, ChongQing University of Posts and Telecommunications, ChongQing 400065, China
| | - Yupan Shi
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Key Laboratory of Photoelectronic Information Sensing and Transmitting Technology, High School Innovation Team of Architecture and Core Technologies of Smart Medical System, ChongQing University of Posts and Telecommunications, ChongQing 400065, China
| | - Peng Xu
- Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China
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