Altered brain wave activity in persons with chronic spinal cord injury

Int J Neurosci. 2007 Dec;117(12):1731-46. doi: 10.1080/00207450701242826.

Abstract

This study investigated brain wave activity associated with spinal cord injury (SCI). Electroencephalograms (EEG) were compared between 10 individuals with SCI and 10 age and sex matched able-bodied controls using a 64-channel EEG montage. SCI participants had chronic (>12 months) paraplegic clinically complete injuries. The 64 channels of EEG data were spread diffusely over the cortex and were compared for delta (2-4 Hz), theta (4-8 Hz), alpha (8-13 Hz), and beta (13-30 Hz) wave components of the EEG frequency spectra. No significant magnitude or directional changes were found in the delta (2-4 Hz) or theta (4-8 Hz) wave frequency bands between these two groups. However, significant and consistent decreased alpha wave (8-13 Hz) and increased beta wave activity (13-30 Hz) were found in the SCI participants across the cortex compared to the able-bodied control group. These findings suggest that the SCI group have increased neural processing compared to the able-bodied individuals, which may be related to ongoing reorganization of brain structures following SCI.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Brain / physiopathology*
  • Brain Mapping*
  • Chronic Disease
  • Electroencephalography*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Spinal Cord Injuries / pathology*