EEG spectral and connectivity parameters as cognitive biomarkers in Parkinson disease

Background Cognitive decline is a common presentation of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and a continued search exists for a reliable biomarker for early identification and management of this clinical problem. The objective of this study is to select the most useful biomarker in assessment of PD-related cognitive decline. This cross-sectional study included 47 patients with PD and 47 matched healthy controls. All participants were assessed by quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) spectral (relative power and background peak frequency) and connectivity measures (coherence and phase lag degree), in addition to clinical evaluation using Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS)and Modified Hoehn and Yahr staging scale and neuropsychological assessment of the patients using Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Results PD patients showed significantly higher relative power in all frequency bands over the right temporal region with no significant changes in peak frequency, coherence and phase lag degree compared to healthy controls. PD patients with impaired cognition (MoCA