Neurophysiological markers of subjective memory complaints in healthy people
- Autores: Joana Vanesa Perez
- Directores de la Tesis: Otilia Alicia Salvador Fernandez Montejo (dir. tes.), Vanesa Hidalgo Calvo (codir. tes.)
- Lectura: En la Universitat de València ( España ) en 2022
- Idioma: inglés
- Tribunal Calificador de la Tesis: Rosa Redolat Iborra (presid.), Jaime Iglesias Dorado (secret.), Daniel Ferreira Padilla (voc.)
- Programa de doctorado: Programa de Doctorado en Neurociencias por la Universitat de València (Estudi General)
- Materias:
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- Resumen
With the aging of the population is important to further understand the neurophysiological changes that occur during aging. In this context, the subjective memory complaints (SMCs) becoming a topic of interest because they make it possible to identify individuals with a pronounced risk of future cognitive impairment. Therefore, it is important to investigate early biomarkers for the detection and planning of treatments. Among these biomarkers, electrophysiological measures derived from electroencephalogram (EEG) are a method of interest. In this regard, an insight into facial emotion processing in both young and older people is provided, as well as the main event related potentials (ERPs) used together with behavioural measures of reaction time (RT) and accuracy. In addition, resting state electroencephalographic rhythms at different frequency bands, EEG reactivity, or alpha peak parameters are explored.
Chapter one presents a general introduction. Chapter two includes the main objectives and hypotheses. Chapter three examined whether facial emotion processing is different in young people with and without SMCs who were exposed to positive, negative, and neutral faces. To do so, the two components (N170 and LPP) were employed as well as behavioural data (RT and accuracy). Regarding behavioral data, neither RT nor accuracy was significantly different between the SMCs and noSMCs groups. Concerning ERPs, we found that participants with SMCs elicited lower amplitudes in the N170 component, compared to noSMCs.
Chapter four determines whether there are differences in the neuronal correlates and behavioral measures of facial emotion processing between older people with and without SMCs, as well as a possible association between ERPs measures and executive performance. To do so, we compared behavioral and ERPs data between older people with and without SMCs during emotional processing task. Results showed that older people with SMCs were slower and less accurate than controls. At the ERPs level, men with SMCs revealed longer latencies in the N170 component for positive, negative, and neutral faces than women with SMCs.
Chapter five presents the analyses of the spectral power of EEG resting state frequency bands and EEG reactivity in older and young people with and without SMCs. In addition, we explore whether there is a correlation between the region- and frequency-specific spectral powers and neuropsychological measures. To do so, young and older people underwent three minutes of EEG recording in a resting-state with their eyes closed (EC) and eyes open (EO). Results showed that, compared to controls, older people with SMCs had increased theta power and a subtle loss of alpha reactivity in EO.
Chapter six investigates alpha peak parameters, such as alpha peak frecuency (APF) and amplitude, in SMCs and control people. Finally, the association between cognitive reserve (CR) and alpha peak parameters was explored. To do so, resting state EC data were recorded for three minutes. Results showed no differences in APF or alpha amplitude between older and young people with SMCs and controls. Moreover, no significant sex differences were detected.
Chapter seven contains a general discussion and the main findings, the limitations and strengths of this thesis, and directions for future research. Chapter eight presents the main conclusions. Finally, Chapter nine, includes a general summary in Spanish.
