Development of Frontal EEG Differences Between Eyes-Closed and Eyes-Open Resting Conditions in Children: Data From a Single-Channel Dry-Sensor Portable Device

Abstract

Changes in EEG when moving from an eyes-closed to an eyes-open resting condition result from bottom-up sensory processing and have been referred to as activation. In children, activation is characterized by a global reduction in alpha, frontally present reductions for delta and theta, and a frontal increase for beta. The present study aimed to replicate frontal EEG activation effects using single-channel, dry-sensor EEG, and to extend current understanding by examining developmental change in children. Frontal EEG was recorded using a single-channel, dry-sensor EEG device while 182 children aged 7 to 12 years completed eyes-closed resting (EC), eyes-open resting (EO), and focus (FO) tasks. Results indicated that frontal delta, theta, and alpha power were reduced, and frontal beta power was increased, in the EO compared with the EC condition. Exploratory analysis of a form of top-down activation showed that frontal beta power was increased in the FO compared with to the EO condition, with no differences for other bands. The activation effects were robust at the individual level. The bottom-up activation effects reduced with age for frontal delta and theta, increased for frontal alpha, with no developmental change for top-down or bottom-up frontal beta activation. These findings contribute further to validation of the single-channel, dry-sensor, frontal EEG and provide support for use in a range of medical, therapeutic, and clinical domains.

Single-channel electroencephalography and its associations with anxiety and pain during oral surgery: a preliminary report

“…They [ 10 ] concluded that the study of brain function using devices such as the aforementioned should be encouraged. More recently, Johnstone et al (2020) [ 13 ] replicated the frontal findings of previously reported EEG activation effects in 185 children using a single-channel EEG and, according to the authors, their findings contribute to the validation of the single-channel, dry-sensor, and frontal EEG.…”

“…To our knowledge, this is the first study to use a mobile single-channel EEG device to monitor TMo surgeries; for this reason, there is no comparative method. It should be viewed as an exploratory study with highly interesting points that may direct the development of a new device for identifying biological markers to explore surgical stress in oral surgery; NBSKeeg, used in this research, shows fair validity and reliability, and it has been employed by several clinical studies [ 10 11 12 13 23 24 25 26 ]. Clinical modifications of the initial protocol, such as expanding the EEG monitoring period to cover the full surgery and clinically time-controlling the events of the trans-surgical development, could also be an interesting approach.…”

Full Spectrum EEG Response to Eyes Open Versus Eyes Closed in Children and The Development of The Alpha Rhythm

“…al. (Johnstone et. al, 2020) reported a developmental increase in frontal alpha power in children from 7 to 12 years old, but no developmental change in beta power.…”

“…Barry and colleagues showed that in 8 to 10-year-old children there were signi cant differences in EEG activity from 1.5 to 25 Hz in the EO vs EC conditions using a 19-electrode system (Barry et al, 2009). Johnstone and coauthors recorded EEG with a single electrode device in 7 to 12-year-old participants and similarly found signi cant frontal EO vs EC differences from 0.5 to 25 Hz (Johnstone et al, 2020). Thus, differential responses to the EO vs EC conditions can provide markers of neurobehavioral disorders and maturation.…”

The Feasibility of the “Omega Kid” Study Protocol: A Double-Blind, Randomised, Placebo-Controlled Trial Investigating the Effect of Omega-3 Supplementation on Self-Regulation in Preschool-Aged Children

“…The EEG data were recorded to a PC for processing and quantification, deriving estimates of power in the delta, theta, alpha, and beta EEG bands. Data recorded from this device have been shown to be valid and reliable and show sensitivity to psychological states [ 35 , 36 , 37 ].…”