What electrophysiology tells us about Alzheimer's disease: a window into the synchronization and connectivity of brain neurons

• Published in: Neurobiology of aging Vol. 85; pp. 58 - 73
• Main Authors: Babiloni, Claudio, Blinowska, Katarzyna, Bonanni, Laura, Cichocki, Andrej, De Haan, Willem, Del Percio, Claudio, Dubois, Bruno, Escudero, Javier, Fernández, Alberto, Frisoni, Giovanni, Guntekin, Bahar, Hajos, Mihaly, Hampel, Harald, Ifeachor, Emmanuel, Kilborn, Kerry, Kumar, Sanjeev, Johnsen, Kristinn, Johannsson, Magnus, Jeong, Jaeseung, LeBeau, Fiona, Lizio, Roberta, Lopes da Silva, Fernando, Maestú, Fernando, McGeown, William J., McKeith, Ian, Moretti, Davide Vito, Nobili, Flavio, Olichney, John, Onofrj, Marco, Palop, Jorge J., Rowan, Michael, Stocchi, Fabrizio, Struzik, Zbigniew M, Tanila, Heikki, Teipel, Stefan, Taylor, John Paul, Weiergräber, Marco, Yener, Gorsev, Young-Pearse, Tracy, Drinkenburg, Wilhelmus H., Randall, Fiona
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.01.2020
• Subjects: Alzheimer's disease (AD); Electroencephalography and magnetoencephalography (EEG and MEG); Event-related potentials and magnetic fields; Preclinical and clinical research; Resting-state condition; The Alzheimer's Association International Society to Advance Alzheimer's Research and Treatment (ISTAART); Resting-state condition; Preclinical and clinical research; Alzheimer's disease (AD); Event-related potentials and magnetic fields; The Alzheimer's Association International Society to Advance Alzheimer's Research and Treatment (ISTAART); Electroencephalography and magnetoencephalography (EEG and MEG)
• ISSN: 0197-4580; 1558-1497
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2019.09.008

Electrophysiology provides a real-time readout of neural functions and network capability in different brain states, on temporal (fractions of milliseconds) and spatial (micro, meso, and macro) scales unmet by other methodologies. However, current international guidelines do not endorse the use of electroencephalographic (EEG)/magnetoencephalographic (MEG) biomarkers in clinical trials performed in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), despite a surge in recent validated evidence. This position paper of the ISTAART Electrophysiology Professional Interest Area endorses consolidated and translational electrophysiological techniques applied to both experimental animal models of AD and patients, to probe the effects of AD neuropathology (i.e., brain amyloidosis, tauopathy, and neurodegeneration) on neurophysiological mechanisms underpinning neural excitation/inhibition and neurotransmission as well as brain network dynamics, synchronization, and functional connectivity, reflecting thalamocortical and corticocortical residual capacity. Converging evidence shows relationships between abnormalities in EEG/MEG markers and cognitive deficits in groups of AD patients at different disease stages. The supporting evidence for the application of electrophysiology in AD clinical research as well as drug discovery pathways warrants an international initiative to include the use of EEG/MEG biomarkers in the main multicentric projects planned in AD patients, to produce conclusive findings challenging the present regulatory requirements and guidelines for AD studies. •Electrophysiology probes Alzheimer's and drug effects on neurons/networks.•Electrophysiology biomarkers measure channelopathy, synaptic neurotransmission and neural network dynamics, synchronization, and connectivity.•Spatial scale ranges from microscopic (μm) to macroscopic (cm) measures.•Temporal scale ranges from microseconds to hours (e.g., sleep).•Electrophysiology markers translate from clinical to preclinical research.