EEG Network Analysis of Depressive Emotion Interference Spatial Cognition Based on a Simulated Robotic Arm Docking Task

Abstract

Depressive emotion (DE) refers to clinically relevant depressive symptoms without meeting the diagnostic criteria for depression. Studies have demonstrated that DE can cause spatial cognition impairment. However, the brain network mechanisms underlying DE interference spatial cognition remain unclear. This study aimed to reveal the differences in brain network connections between DE and healthy control (HC) groups during resting state and a spatial cognition task. The longer operation time of the DE group during spatial cognition task indicated DE interference spatial cognition. In the resting state stage, the DE group had weaker network connections in theta and alpha bands than the HC group had. Specifically, the electrodes in parietal regions were hubs of the differential networks, which are related to spatial attention. Moreover, in docking task stages, the left frontoparietal network connections in delta, beta, and gamma bands were stronger in the DE group than those of the HC group. The enhanced left frontoparietal connections in the DE group may be related to brain resource reorganization to compensate for spatial cognition decline and ensure the completion of spatial cognition tasks. Thus, these findings might provide new insights into the neural mechanisms of depressive emotion interference spatial cognition.

Differences in Electroencephalography Power Levels between Poor and Good Performance in Attentional Tasks

“…Another study suggested that α wave as α lateralization plays a causal role in attention tasks [ 23 , 24 ]. Conversely, patients with schizophrenia, who typically exhibit deficits in working memory, showed significantly lower α suppression in the task preparation, memory encoding, maintenance, and retrieval phases, indicating strong α power [ 25 ], whereas stronger connections in δ, β, and γ bands were found in the depressive emotion group [ 10 ]. These results may imply that attentional network might be modulated due to mental conditions.…”

“…Specifically, eyes-open EEG alpha attenuation might represent a neural biomarker for risk of attentional impairment [ 9 ]. Moreover, the left frontoparietal network, which is related to spatial attention, had stronger connections in the δ, β, and γ bands in the depressive emotion group compared with the healthy control group [ 10 ].…”

Mental Stress and Cognitive Deficits Management

“…The study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on the cognitive effects of COVID-19 and provides valuable information for healthcare professionals and researchers involved in the care and study of individuals with post-acute sequelae of COVID-19. Finally, the study in [16] highlights the detrimental effects of Depressive Emotion (DE) on spatial cognition and provide evidence of brain resource reorganization to compensate for cognitive decline. The results emphasize the importance of understanding the neural mechanisms underlying DE's interference with spatial cognition, shedding light on potential avenues for cognitive interventions in individuals with DE.…”