Reflection of the consciousness level in psychopathology by means of monitoring neural network centers of the resting electroencephalography alpha rhythm
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY — MEDICINE
Abstract
Introduction.Consciousness is a higher mental function that integrates attention, memory, individual experience, emotions, and all modalities of perception and information processing.The purposeof this study was to provide a theoretical basis for the functional relationship between the alpha-regulating system of the brain and the modulation of conscious activity, as well as to identify pathological electroencephalographic patterns of alpha rhythm that characterize a decrease in the level of consciousness.Materials and methods.40 patients (the main group) with currentsymptomaticschizophrenia associated with neurocognitive and depressivesignsand 38 healthy subjects (the control group) were examined. Analyzed both non-specific physical parameters of the alpha-wave process — index, frequency and amplitude, as well as physiological features of alpha oscillations — regularity, autorhythmicity (modulation) and stability of the alpha rhythm of the electroencephalography using Win EEG, EEG Studio and Loreta-Key viewer programs. A number of indicators for the alpha rhythm in schizophrenia were calculated based on coherence in various brain regions, the latent period of desynchronization, the average number of flashes, and the tone of the cerebral cortex.Results.When comparing the results of electroencephalography coherence analysis between groups, significant differences were observed between the level of integration in the main and control groups. The disruption of coherent processes in patients with schizophrenia was generalized. In eight interhemispheric pairs, there was either a significant decrease in the level of spatial synchronization (p <0.05; p <0.01; p <0.001) or a tendency towards brain disintegration. The latent period of alpha-rhythm desynchronization with open eyes exceeded the normal values by 2.3 times (p <0.05), and the latent period of the main rhythm synchronization was 1.6 times higher than the normal values (p <0.05). The depth of synchronization in patients with schizophrenia was 1.22 times lower than the normal value. The combination of these data is associated with changes in the functional state of the ascending reticular activating system of the brain. In patients, the average number of flashes exceeded the normal values by 2.5 times (p <0.04), this indicates an increase in the degree of brain paroxysmal activity and is an objective sign of dysfunction in the pontothalamic and hypothalamic structures.Conclusions.Based on the specific changes in the rs-alpha rhythm of the electroencephalography, it is possible to assess the individual level of consciousness, as well as the possible role of disorganization of consciousness in the mechanisms of the formation of schizophrenia symptoms. Our hypothesis about the possibility of electroencephalographic assessment of the level of consciousness based on the analysis of the main parameters of the rs-alpha rhythm is confirmed.
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