Resting-state EEG alterations and cognitive impairment in atrial fibrillation: insights into neural biomarkers and functional connectivity

AimsAtrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with cognitive decline, but the role of electroencephalography (EEG) in assessing cognitive dysfunction in AF patients is underexplored.ObjectiveThis study investigated the relationship between resting-state EEG patterns and cognitive impairment in AF patie...

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Main Authors: Min-qiang Bao, Li Cao, Yi-nong Chen, Guo-liang Gao, Zhi-yong Lu, Jie Wang, Shuang-shuang Chen, Xiao-ning Sheng, Yu Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Neurology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1583715/full
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author Min-qiang Bao
Min-qiang Bao
Li Cao
Yi-nong Chen
Guo-liang Gao
Zhi-yong Lu
Jie Wang
Shuang-shuang Chen
Xiao-ning Sheng
Yu Wang
author_facet Min-qiang Bao
Min-qiang Bao
Li Cao
Yi-nong Chen
Guo-liang Gao
Zhi-yong Lu
Jie Wang
Shuang-shuang Chen
Xiao-ning Sheng
Yu Wang
author_sort Min-qiang Bao
collection DOAJ
description AimsAtrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with cognitive decline, but the role of electroencephalography (EEG) in assessing cognitive dysfunction in AF patients is underexplored.ObjectiveThis study investigated the relationship between resting-state EEG patterns and cognitive impairment in AF patients.MethodsWe recruited 120 participants from the Affiliated Xuancheng Hospital, China (January 2023 to January 2024), categorizing them into healthy controls and AF patients. Resting-state EEG metrics, including power spectral density (PSD), functional connectivity (FC), cross-frequency coupling (CFC), and sample entropy (EnSA), were analyzed alongside the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores. Mediation analysis explored EEG's role in the AF-cognitive decline relationship.ResultsAF patients had significantly lower MoCA scores. PSD analysis showed increased δ and θ and decreased α and β activity. FC was reduced in the α and β bands but increased in localized θ and γ bands. CFC analysis revealed elevated θ–β and θ–γ phase-amplitude coupling (PAC), reduced β–γ PAC, and lower EnSA. EEG metrics were significantly correlated with MoCA scores, with θ–β PAC mediating cognitive decline.ConclusionAF patients exhibit distinctive EEG changes, with θ–β PAC mediating cognitive impairment, suggesting the potential of resting-state EEG for cognitive assessment in AF patients.
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spelling doaj-art-b6a24e5fd7e649faa301d839adf9653e2025-08-20T02:36:00ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Neurology1664-22952025-06-011610.3389/fneur.2025.15837151583715Resting-state EEG alterations and cognitive impairment in atrial fibrillation: insights into neural biomarkers and functional connectivityMin-qiang Bao0Min-qiang Bao1Li Cao2Yi-nong Chen3Guo-liang Gao4Zhi-yong Lu5Jie Wang6Shuang-shuang Chen7Xiao-ning Sheng8Yu Wang9Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Xuancheng Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Xuancheng, ChinaDepartment of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, ChinaDepartment of Electrocardiogram, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, ChinaDepartment of Neurology, The Affiliated Xuancheng Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Xuancheng, ChinaDepartment of Electrocardiogram, The Affiliated Xuancheng Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Xuancheng, ChinaDepartment of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Affiliated Xuancheng Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Xuancheng, ChinaDepartment of Neurology, The Affiliated Xuancheng Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Xuancheng, ChinaDepartment of Neurology, The Affiliated Xuancheng Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Xuancheng, ChinaDepartment of Neurology, The Affiliated Xuancheng Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Xuancheng, ChinaDepartment of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, ChinaAimsAtrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with cognitive decline, but the role of electroencephalography (EEG) in assessing cognitive dysfunction in AF patients is underexplored.ObjectiveThis study investigated the relationship between resting-state EEG patterns and cognitive impairment in AF patients.MethodsWe recruited 120 participants from the Affiliated Xuancheng Hospital, China (January 2023 to January 2024), categorizing them into healthy controls and AF patients. Resting-state EEG metrics, including power spectral density (PSD), functional connectivity (FC), cross-frequency coupling (CFC), and sample entropy (EnSA), were analyzed alongside the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores. Mediation analysis explored EEG's role in the AF-cognitive decline relationship.ResultsAF patients had significantly lower MoCA scores. PSD analysis showed increased δ and θ and decreased α and β activity. FC was reduced in the α and β bands but increased in localized θ and γ bands. CFC analysis revealed elevated θ–β and θ–γ phase-amplitude coupling (PAC), reduced β–γ PAC, and lower EnSA. EEG metrics were significantly correlated with MoCA scores, with θ–β PAC mediating cognitive decline.ConclusionAF patients exhibit distinctive EEG changes, with θ–β PAC mediating cognitive impairment, suggesting the potential of resting-state EEG for cognitive assessment in AF patients.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1583715/fullatrial fibrillationcognitive dysfunctionresting-state EEGpower spectral densityfunctional connectivitycross-frequency coupling
spellingShingle Min-qiang Bao
Min-qiang Bao
Li Cao
Yi-nong Chen
Guo-liang Gao
Zhi-yong Lu
Jie Wang
Shuang-shuang Chen
Xiao-ning Sheng
Yu Wang
Resting-state EEG alterations and cognitive impairment in atrial fibrillation: insights into neural biomarkers and functional connectivity
Frontiers in Neurology
atrial fibrillation
cognitive dysfunction
resting-state EEG
power spectral density
functional connectivity
cross-frequency coupling
title Resting-state EEG alterations and cognitive impairment in atrial fibrillation: insights into neural biomarkers and functional connectivity
title_full Resting-state EEG alterations and cognitive impairment in atrial fibrillation: insights into neural biomarkers and functional connectivity
title_fullStr Resting-state EEG alterations and cognitive impairment in atrial fibrillation: insights into neural biomarkers and functional connectivity
title_full_unstemmed Resting-state EEG alterations and cognitive impairment in atrial fibrillation: insights into neural biomarkers and functional connectivity
title_short Resting-state EEG alterations and cognitive impairment in atrial fibrillation: insights into neural biomarkers and functional connectivity
title_sort resting state eeg alterations and cognitive impairment in atrial fibrillation insights into neural biomarkers and functional connectivity
topic atrial fibrillation
cognitive dysfunction
resting-state EEG
power spectral density
functional connectivity
cross-frequency coupling
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1583715/full
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