RATE OF COGNITIVE DECLINE IN ALZHEIMERS-DISEASE IS ASSOCIATED WITH EEG ALPHA-POWER

Fifteen patients with Alzheimer's disease who were initially mildly or moderately impaired were followed for up to 4 years. Scores of the Mi ni-Mental State Examination (MMSE) were regressed on time of examinati on (measured at 6-month intervals) to estimate cognitive progression r ates in individual patients. A quantitative electroencephalographic (E EG) examination was administered to each patient. Log-absolute EEG pow er in the alpha bandwidth (8-12 Hz) was found to be correlated with th e computed rate of MMSE decline. This association was present for elec trode sites across all regions of the scalp and remained significant w hen the effects of current cognitive severity were partialled out. The se data suggest that a quantitative EEG measure (absolute alpha power) is related to the rate of cognitive decline in patients with Alzheime r's disease.