title: Quantified-EEG in normal aging and dementias.
abstract: The value of quantitative electroencephalography (q-EEG) in the differential diagnosis of multi-infarct dementia (MID) and dementia of Alzheimer's type (DAT) is controversial. To evaluate the possible diagnostic role of q-EEG in these two conditions we studied 18 healthy adults, 16 healthy elderly (HE), 29 DAT patients and 45 MID patients. MID patients showed a significant increase of delta activity on the occipital regions, a significant widespread increase of theta activity, a significant widespread decrease of alpha activity. DAT patients showed a significant widespread increase of delta and theta activity, a significant widespread decrease of alpha activity. Spectral profile analysis showed an asymptotic exponential peak frequency at 4.33 HZ, and the disappearance of dominant activity in DAT patients; a 1 Hz decrease of peak frequency with a preserved normal profile in MID patients. We conclude that q-EEG is a useful ancillary test to differentiate MID from DAT.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neurological Sciences, II University of Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: d'Onofrio
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Salvia
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Petretta
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bonavita
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tedeschi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D015161:Dementia, Multi-Infarct / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index