Early dementias are difficult
to distinguish from normal age-related memory decline. In the preclinical stages
of Alzheimer’s disease and Huntington’s disease, brain functions are already changing,
but this is not directly visible from the outside. Many research is aimed at
discovering early disease markers. However, research using EEG registration
during conventional eyes closed conditions revealed little additional
information. The yield of EEG research can be improved by probing the weakest
spot, which, in case of dementia, is memory. Karin van der Hiele introduced
memory tests during EEG registration and found that early abnormalities in
brain functioning can then be observed in Alzheimer’s disease and Huntington’s
disease. An interesting finding came to light:
the EEG in dementia displays a lot of muscle activity which is normally
filtered out. However, the researchers decided not to throw this activity away
but to measure it. Interestingly, they found that the amount of muscle activity
was related to cognition and to the number of depressive complaints. It may pay
to keep an open mind regarding the nature of the parameter to be measured. LEI Universiteit LeidenPathophysiologie van aanvalsgewijs en chronisch progressief verlopende aandoeningen van het centrale perifere zenuwstelse
