Brain source localization of MMN and P300 ERPs in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease: a high-density EEG approach

Alzheimer's disease is the most common neurodegenerative disease of Western societies, suggesting the need for early diagnosis, even in preclinical stages. In this vein, the localization of neuronal generators of event-related potential (ERP) components, that is, the mismatch negativity and the P300, based on high-density electroencephalogram data, was explored as a means to enhance their sensitivity as markers of preclinical Alzheimer's disease (AD). A 2-tone oddball experiment was conducted, involving 21 healthy elderly, 21 mild cognitive impairment, and 21 mild AD patients, while high-density electroencephalogram data were recorded. The results revealed longer latencies of both mismatch negativity and P300 and slower and far less accurate responses as neurodegeneration progressed. Standardized low-resolution electromagnetic tomography revealed that source differences between healthy and mild cognitive impairment and healthy and AD patients for both ERP components were present in the same Brodmann area independently of the ERP and the stage of cognitive decline. This finding indicates an early change of source activation related to cognitive performance and may be used to improve the diagnostic and prognostic value of ERPs.