Abnormal periodic and aperiodic resting-state electroencephalographic markers in Lewy body and Alzheimer’s diseases with cognitive decline
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Lewy body disease (LBD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are the most common causes of cognitive decline and dementia and are associated with characteristic alterations in resting-state electroencephalographic (rsEEG) activity. This multicenter exploratory study investigated periodic and aperiodic rsEEG features in patients with cognitive decline due to Lewy body disease (LBCD) and Alzheimer’s disease (ADCD), compared with cognitively unimpaired older adults (Nold), and examined the clinical relevance of these markers in LBCD. A total of 140 LBCD, 135 ADCD, and 118 Nold datasets from the PDWAVES archive underwent spectral parameterization to decompose rsEEG power spectra (1–30 Hz) into periodic peaks and aperiodic background activity. Both clinical groups showed a significant slowing of the individual alpha frequency (IAF), more pronounced in LBCD, along with reduced periodic alpha and beta power reflected in a lower vigilance index. The aperiodic exponent was elevated in both groups, and the aperiodic offset was also higher in LBCD, suggesting steeper spectral profiles consistent with increased inhibitory cortical tone. Within the LBCD group, poorer cognition was associated with higher low-frequency alpha power, whereas better cognition was predicted by higher high-frequency alpha power. A reduced vigilance index was associated with the presence of visual hallucinations, while no associations emerged for other symptoms. These findings suggest that combined periodic and aperiodic rsEEG features may provide relevant markers of altered vigilance regulation in LBCD. Future studies should evaluate whether these EEG markers can inform targeted interventions, such as neuromodulatory or audiovisual stimulation, to stabilize quiet-vigilance states and improve clinical outcomes. Graphical abstract Panel A shows the spectral parameterization of rsEEG activity into periodic and aperiodic components. Panel B summarizes the main group differences in key rsEEG markers across LBCD, ADCD, and Nold participants. Panel C shows the topographical associations between the vigilance index and cognition and visual hallucinations in LBCD; colors reflect the direction and strength of the associations. For the visual hallucinations map, negative log-odds indicate lower odds of hallucinations for higher vigilance index values, whereas positive log-odds indicate higher odds; values around ± 1.5 correspond approximately to odds ratios of 0.22 and 4.5, respectively. Abbreviations: rsEEG, resting-state electroencephalography; LBCD, cognitive decline due to Lewy body disease; ADCD, cognitive decline due to Alzheimer’s disease; Nold, cognitively unimpaired older adults; IAF, individual alpha frequency; MMSE, Mini-Mental State Examination; p , standardized regression coefficient; log-odds, logistic regression coefficient.
Source: GeroScience
Authors: Matteo Carpi, Antonio Pio Afragola, Mina De Bartolo, Susanna Lopez, Burcu Bölükbaş, Claudio Del Percio, Veronica Henao Isaza, Roberta Lizio, Giuseppe Noce, Lorenc Barjami, Filippo Carducci, Andrea Soricelli, Marco Salvatore, Franco Giubilei, Bahar Güntekin, Görsev Yener, Federico Massa, Dario Arnaldi, Francesco Famà, Matteo Pardini, Raffaele Ferri, Bartolo Lanuzza, Fabrizio Stocchi, Laura Vacca, Chiara Coletti, Moira Marizzoni, John Paul Taylor, Lutfu Hanoğlu, Harun Yırıkoğulları, Giovanni B. Frisoni, Sofia Cuoco, Paolo Barone, Marianna Amboni, Arianna Cappiello, Laura Bonanni, Anita D’Anselmo, Roberta Biundo, Simone Cauzzo, Eleonora Fiorenzato, Angelo Antonini, Fabrizia D’Antonio, Giuseppe Bruno, Francesco Infarinato, Paola Romano, Simone Marziali, Maria Francesca De Pandis, Claudio Babiloni
Institutions: Sapienza University of Rome, I.R.C.C.S. Oasi Maria SS, Parthenope University of Naples, Istanbul Medipol University, Dokuz Eylül University, Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, University of Genoa, San Raffaele University of Rome, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico San Raffaele, Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Newcastle University, University of Geneva, University Hospital of Geneva, University of Salerno, University of Chieti-Pescara, University of Padua, IRCCS San Camillo Hospital, Università degli studi di Cassino e del Lazio Meridionale
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $2,890
OpenAlex ID: W7161955754