Changes in EEG Alpha Activity during Attention Control in Patients: Association with Sleep Disorders

Abstract

We aimed to assess which quantitative EEG changes during daytime testing in patients with sleep disorder (primary insomnia and excessive daytime sleepiness groups). All experimental study participants were subjected to a long-term test for maintaining attention to sound stimuli, and their EEGs were recorded and then processed, using wavelet analysis, in order to estimate the power and frequency structure of alpha activity. In healthy subjects, the maximum increase in the alpha rhythm occurred near 9 Hz. Patients with primary insomnia were characterized by an increase in the amplitude of the alpha rhythm near 11 Hz. For subjects with sleep disorders, an increase in the amplitude of the alpha rhythm was observed in the entire frequency range (7.5–12.5 Hz), with a maximum increase at 9–10 Hz. Significant differences (p≤0.001) for changes in the alpha rhythm dynamics in the course of performing the attention test were observed in the frequency range of 7.5–10.5 Hz between the control group and patients with sleep disorders. The ratios of the alpha rhythm power values for passive stages with closed eyes before and after active stage were significantly different among the groups of healthy sleep volunteers, patients with primary insomnia, and patients with impaired sleep hygiene within the range of 9.5 to 12.5 Hz. The results of the current study supported the notion of a 24-h hyperarousal in primary insomnia.

Clinical Neurophysiology, Neuroimaging, and Neuromodulation of Neuropsychiatric Disorders

“…In healthy subjects, alpha peak occurred around 9 Hz, but in patients with primary insomnia, the peak was found to increase to around 11 Hz. As for the changes in the dynamics of the alpha rhythm during the process of attention test, there was a significant difference between patients with sleep disorders and healthy controls in the frequency range of 7.5-10.5 Hz, supporting the concept of 24-h hyperarousal in primary insomnia [1].…”

Electrophysiology and hyperscanning applied to e-learning for organizational training

“…For example, e-learning for organizational training regarding the EEG frequency bands and their functional meaning, the low-frequency bands (delta and theta) have been generally linked to emotional (Balconi et al, 2015) and memory processing (Khader et al, 2010). Conversely, attentional processing, for both specific stimuli and general cognitive activation, has been associated with decreased alpha and increased beta powers (Huang & Sekuler, 2010;Runnova et al, 2021). Therefore, considering the frequency waves (delta, theta, beta and alpha) from the EEG sources (AF7, AF8, TP9 and TP10) from a wearable device given to groups of trainees and a trainer, the current experimental research aims at the following: developing a neurocognitive paradigm to assess remote training efficacy on all its participants (trainer and trainees), with a focus on engagement and attentional levels via the consideration of the EEG frequency bands for their functional significance.…”

“…For example, regarding the EEG frequency bands and their functional meaning, the low-frequency bands (delta and theta) have been generally linked to emotional (Balconi et al, 2015) and memory processing (Khader et al, 2010). Conversely, attentional processing, for both specific stimuli and general cognitive activation, has been associated with decreased alpha and increased beta powers (Huang & Sekuler, 2010; Runnova et al, 2021).…”

Self-Awareness of Goals Task (SAGT) and Planning Skills: The Neuroscience of Decision Making

“…Electroencephalograms, in particular, provide information on the electrophysiological activity of the brain, highlighting the functional meaning of frequency bands to assess the possible load and cognitive effort required by decision-making processes. Specifically, greater activation in low-frequency bands (theta and delta) could be associated with emotional processes [ 28 ], while alpha and beta bands are indices of cognitive effort, active attention, and engagement [ 29 , 30 ]. On the other hand, autonomic measures, such as electrodermal activity (i.e., skin conductance level and response) and cardiovascular indices (i.e., heart rate), provide insight into emotional processes such as emotional engagement, arousal, and stress levels [ 31 , 32 , 33 ].…”