Key result
Down syndrome is linked to altered resting-state EEG patterns, primarily increased slow-wave activity.
Why the study?
Down syndrome imposes a significant healthcare burden, and consolidating studies on electroencephalography (EEG) usage was needed to identify shared features of disrupted EEG activity and elucidate underlying neural mechanisms.
Does EEG activity show consistent aberrant patterns in individuals with Down syndrome compared to controls?
Does EEG activity show consistent aberrant patterns in individuals with Down syndrome compared to controls?
Individuals with Down syndrome exhibit distinct aberrant EEG patterns, specifically increased slow-wave activity and decreased fast-wave activity, which often correlate with age and cognitive decline.
May aid dementia monitoring via EEG in Down syndrome; confirms consistent frequency shifts across 17 studies.
Introduction: Down syndrome (DS) stands out as one of the most prevalent genetic disorders, imposing a significant burden on both society and the healthcare system. Scientists are making efforts to understand the neural mechanisms behind the pathophysiology of this disorder. Among the valuable methods for studying these mechanisms is electroencephalography (EEG), a non-invasive technique that measures the brain’s electrical activity, characterised by its excellent temporal resolution. This review aims to consolidate studies examining EEG usage in individuals with DS. The objective was to identify shared elements of disrupted EEG activity and, crucially, to elucidate the neural mechanisms underpinning these deviations. Searches were conducted on Pubmed/Medline, Research Gate, and Cochrane databases. Results: The literature search yielded 17 relevant articles. Despite the significant time span, small sample size, and overall heterogeneity of the included studies, three common features of aberrant EEG activity in people with DS were found. Potential mechanisms for this altered activity were delineated. Conclusions: The studies included in this review show altered EEG activity in people with DS compared to the control group. To bolster these current findings, future investigations with larger sample sizes are imperative.
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Chmiel et al. (2024) conducted a review in Down syndrome. Down syndrome vs. Typically developing controls was evaluated on Shared elements of disrupted resting-state EEG activity. Individuals with Down syndrome exhibited altered resting-state EEG activity, notably elevated slow-wave (delta and theta) activity and anomalies in alpha bands, compared to controls.
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