EEG source localization is a technique used to determine the specific brain regions responsible for generating electrical activity recorded on the scalp. Since the discovery of EEG, researchers and clinicians have become optimistic about receiving an innovative “window into the brain” and localizing neuronal activity that generates scalp potentials in a noninvasive manner. The groundbreaking method has become a pivotal procedure in over forty-two statistical methods in which EEG source localization played a role in localizing brain activity sources. Although a multitude of noninvasive techniques have surfaced the medical field such as positron emission tomography, single-photon emission computed tomography, and functional magnetic resonance imaging, none of them have been as effective in delivering timely-mannered resolutions and values as EEG source localization. In her research, Elizabeth Paitel pivots her research using EEG source localization towards dictating a correlation amongst age and early-onset Alzheimer’s disease risk factors. Yet, in addition to Paitel’s findings, EEG source localization can also be used to diagnose and cure various psychiatric disorders.
In Paitel's case, EEG source localization is an essential tool to study the cognitive aging and Alzheimer's risk factors of those who are genetically prone to developing late-onset Alzheimer's disease. The study intricately focuses on investigating the role of executive functions, particularly inhibitory control, with a specific emphasis on the cerebellum's involvement. EEG data was collected and processed using advanced techniques to localize brain activity during an inhibitory control task. The results reflected age-related compensatory cerebellar activity in APOE4- elders, while APOE4+ individuals demonstrated signs of declining cerebellar responses, proving an indication of early-onset Alzheimer's disease. The findings and methodology utilized infer the impact of aging and neuropathology on the cognitive cerebellum leading to further questions of neurological and psychopathological conditions that may cause cerebellar dysfunction.
On the other hand, Shiva Asadzadeh, Tohid Yousefi Rezaii, Soosan Beheshti, Azra Delpak, and Saeed Meshgini delve into the theory that EEG source localization can be performed to unravel distinctive psychiatric disorders and explore how this technique can cure those disorders in their research article “A systematic review of EEG source localization techniques and their applications on diagnosis of brain abnormalities.” The research article begins by highlighting EEG and MEG and their imperative advantages over other imaging techniques including fMRI, PET, and fNIRS. They use analytical methods, for instance LORETA to traverse through conditions such as epilepsy, ADHD, and OCD to further evaluate their activity patterns and prove an accelerated diagnosis and treatment due to source localization. Through detecting epileptic seizures, studying meditative states, phobias, schizophrenia, and conduct/attention spans, they were able to achieve just that. However, they found EEG developed limitations for such circumstances affecting the accuracy due to electrode placement, head cavities, and head model accuracy. As a result, they profoundly emphasize the importance of modeling precision in the components to provide the most intricate localization results possible.
Overall, both researches outlined accentuates the profound job of EEG source localization on not only Alzheimer’s disease and age correlation, but as well as an abundant array of other psychiatric disorders which have been long overdue for diagnosis and treatment revelations. It is evident that EEG source localization is a prominent imaging technique to promote the facilitation in addressing pressing concerns as finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease and formulating better rehabilitation for disorders who do not attain the privilege of having many. This pioneering method has granted the world hope amid uncertainty amongst these specific health concerns discussed and will continue to do so in the future.
References:
Asadzadeh, S., Rezaii, T. Y., Beheshti, S., Delpak, A., & Meshgini, S. (2020). A systematic review of EEG source localization techniques and their applications on diagnosis of brain abnormalities. Journal of Neuroscience Methods, 339, 108740. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneumeth.2020.108740
Michel, C. M., & He, B. (2019). EEG source localization. In Handbook of clinical neurology (pp. 85–101). https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-444-64032-1.00006-0
No comments:
Post a Comment