Electroencephalographic functional connectivity is altered in persons with Down syndrome and Alzheimer's disease
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
Background: Persons with Down syndrome (DS) are at increased risk of developing Alzheimer's dementia (DS-AD). Due to heterogeneity in the functioning in persons with DS, it is difficult to use cognitive testing to assess whether a person with DS has developed dementia due to AD. Electroencephalography (EEG) functional connectivity has shown promising results as a diagnostic tool for AD in persons without DS. In the current exploratory study, we investigated whether EEG functional connectivity could be used as a diagnostic marker of AD in persons with DS and the association with symptoms. Methods: Electroencephalography from 12 persons with DS and 16 persons with DS-AD were analysed, and both coherence and weighted phase lag index were calculated. In addition, we calculated the average coherence for fronto-parietal and temporo-parietal connections. Lastly, we investigated the correlation between the informant-based Dementia Screening Questionnaire in Intellectual Disability (DSQIID) and total alpha coherence. Results: Decreased alpha and increased delta coherence and weighted phase lag index were observed in DS-AD as compared with DS. The decrease in alpha coherence was more marked in the fronto-parietal connections as compared with the temporo-parietal connections. No significant correlation was found between DSQIID and total alpha coherence (P value = 0.095, rho = −0.335). Conclusion: The decreased alpha coherence and weighted phase lag index have previously been found in AD. The increased delta coherence and weighted phase lag index may indicate a different initial neurophysiological presentation as compared with patients with AD or may be a sign of more advanced disease. Larger studies are needed to confirm the current findings.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Journal of Intellectual Disability Research |
Volume | 65 |
Issue number | 3 |
Pages (from-to) | 236-245 |
ISSN | 0964-2633 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2021 |
- coherence, Down syndrome, EEG, functional connectivity, weighted phase lag index
Research areas
ID: 255110317