Abnormal slow EEG activity in Tinnitus patients
: Delta and alpha rhythms as an optimal QEEG index in open and close eyes
Abstract
Objective: Recent studies try to clarify the difference of neuro-physiological responses of subject with tinnitus. The eye situation (open/close) is challengeable in electroencephalography researches. QEEG analysis are different on eyes close or open, so the recording of brain activities must be clarified by eyes condition. This study aimed to investigate this further in terms of differences in EEG activity between closed and open eyes condition in resting position of tinnitus patients.
Method: QEEG was analyzed in forty-six subjects with tinnitus (34 men and 12 women), in two eye conditions (open/close) for 3 minutes at resting position. Relative power of delta, theta, alpha, beta and gamma bands estimated by sLORETA software. Average of 30 electrodes across the scalp was measured for relative power at each rhythm separately and also, Paired T-test analysis for comparison of Delta/Alpha (DAR), Delta+Theta/Alpha+Beta (DTABR) between open/close eyes were done.
Results: In close eyes condition DAR and DTABR reduced significantly (p=0.009 and p=0.016) in comparison to open eyes. Relative power of delta increased in open eyes whereas surprisingly, alpha reduced significantly in compare to close eyes condition (p<0.001). There was not significant difference between two conditions at theta, beta and gamma rhythms.
Conclusion: Subjects with tinnitus indicate difference EEG activities at two eyes conditions. These changes, in Alpha band is completely revers in comparison to normal subjects that documents at previous researches. Increase of relative power of Alpha in close eyes and reduce of Delta power may be indicate sever tinnitus based on QEEG data. It seems that is better to select open eyes condition for QEEG analysis. Increase of DAR is a good variable in open eye condition and this study suggest the use of it as a potential biomarker for comparison of the severity of tinnitus.
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