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Segmental structure of alpha waves in sleep-deprived subjects

Untersuchung der Segmentstruktur von Alpha-Wellen bei Schlaflosigkeit

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Zusammenfassung

Das Ziel der Forschung

Die quasi-stationären Segmente des EEG-Signals können als zeitlich stabile lokale Mikro-Zustände der Gehirntätigkeit dargestellt werden,wobei die Übergänge zwischen aufeinander folgenden Segmenten die relativ schnelle Änderung eines solchen Mikrozustandes in den anderen bedeuten können. Die adaptive Segmentierung erlaubt es, die Übergangspunkte mit drastischen Änderungen der Amplitude zu identifizieren und die EEG-Aufzeichnung in quasi-stationäre Segmente zu schneiden.Wir haben die Anwendung dieser Prozedur für die quantitative Beschreibung der Alpha-Wellen auf die Schlaflosigkeit untersucht.

Patienten und Methoden

Das EEG wurde bei 39 Volontären mit einem 3- Stunden-Takt in mehr als 24 Stunden des Wachzustandes aufgenommen. Die Registrierung wurde im Frequenzbereich von 7.00-12.99 Hz gefiltert und automatisch segmentiert (SEKTION 0.1,Human Brain Research Group,Moscow State University).

Ergebnisse

Die Merkmale von quasi-stationären Hochamplituden- Segmenten – die Segmentlänge, die mittlere Amplitude des Segments und der Koeffizient der Amplitudenvariation im Segment – waren nach der Schlaflosigkeit vergrößert. Eine solche Veränderung zeigt die verringerte Stabilität der funktionalen Synchronisation im Neutronen Ensemble, sowie auch ihre Vergrößerung und die Verlängerung der Existenzdauer.

Fazit

Die schlaflose Nacht unterscheidet sich von einer Nacht mit gutem Schlaf in der Struktur von Alpha-Wellen signifikant.

Summary

Aim of the study

The quasi-stationary segments of an EEG signal can represent temporary stable local microstates in brain activity, whereas the transition points between the adjacent segments can signify relatively rapid shifts from one such microstate to another. The procedure of adaptive segmentation allows identification of the transition points with abrupt amplitude changes and cutting of an EEG record on the quasi-stationary segments. We tested the applicability of this procedure for quantification of the response of alpha waves to sleep deprivation.

Patients and methods

EEGs were recorded in 39 volunteers at 3-h intervals over the course of more than 24 waking hours. The records were bandpass filtered (7.00–12.99 Hz) and subjected to automatic segmentation (SECTION 0.1®,Human Brain Research Group, Moscow State University).

Results

The characteristics of high amplitude quasi-stationary segments – segment's length, averaged across segment amplitude and coefficient of variation of within-segmental amplitude – were elevated in the sleep-deprived subjects in the eyes open condition. Such elevations can reflect the decrease in stability of functional synchronization within neuronal assemblies along with the increase in their size and life span.

Conclusions

A night without sleep significantly differs in the segmental structure of alpha waves from a night with sleep.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Institute for Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia

    D. A. Putilov, E. G. Verevkin & O. G. Donskaya

  2. Nipkowstraße 11, 12489, Berlin, Germany

    A. A. Putilov

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  1. D. A. Putilov
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  2. E. G. Verevkin
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  3. O. G. Donskaya
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  4. A. A. Putilov
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Correspondence to A. A. Putilov.

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Putilov, D.A., Verevkin, E.G., Donskaya, O.G. et al. Segmental structure of alpha waves in sleep-deprived subjects. Somnologie 11, 202–210 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11818-007-0304-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11818-007-0304-x

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