TITLE:
EnkephaloVision: Anatomical Functionality Indicated by Ultrashort Transient Regional EEG Spectral Power Changes during Cognitive and Emotional Challenges
AUTHORS:
Wilfried Dimpfel, Gwladys Nina Chiegoua Dipah, Nigel Gericke
KEYWORDS:
EnkephaloVision, Quantitative EEG, Spectral Power, Eye-Tracking, Cognition, Emotion, CATEEM
JOURNAL NAME:
World Journal of Neuroscience,
Vol.6 No.2,
May
4,
2016
ABSTRACT: Anatomical functionality
is a major topic in brain research. Numerous investigations have shown task
dependent activation of focal brain areas, with most information based on
time-averaged data due to methodological limitations. Ultra-fast quantitative
EEG, especially in the newly developed combination with eye tracking
(EnkephaloVision), is very suitable to follow activities of local electric
circuits. This investigation in 57 subjects revealed transient focal frequency
changes reaching up to more than 6000% of global median spectra power during
cognitive and emotional challenges at frontal electrode positions. Recording
epochs of 364 ms uncovered coherences with respect to focal brain areas and
single frequencies, which are typically lost during averaged calculations. When
averaging data over a whole scene, a least demanding challenge like viewing a
boring animal video only activated the lateral frontal lobe, whereas solving
brain-teasers and performance of mathematical calculations led to delta
(modulated by acetylcholine) and theta (modulated by norepinephrine) increases
in all brain regions in a statistically significant manner. In addition to
delta and theta increases, performance of the Stroop test led to beta2 (related
to GABA-ergic transmission) increases in the temporal lobe. The higher the
mental demand the more brain regions were involved during 10 different
challenges. There was no challenge which did not activate the lateral frontal
brain in terms of increases of delta and theta spectral power. The results are
in line with the view that the lateral frontal lobe is involved primarily
during cognitive and emotional behavior related to activity changes of
acetylcholine and norepinephrine.