EEG-Korrelate der Aufmerksamkeit bei Gesunden und Patienten mit Hirnschädigung

In the present study, we compared the performance in a test for sustained attention with different EEG parameters in a group of healthy subjects and a group of patients suffering from different kinds of brain injury. We wanted to prove in particular if the quotient of theta- and beta-activity (theta-beta ratio) is a suitable variable for neurofeedback therapy.A correlation analysis revealed statistically significant correlations above 0.7 between the theta-beta ratio and error rate and the theta beta ratio and number of correct reactions in healthy subjects. The correlation between theta-beta ratio and reaction time was lower (r = 0.466), but still statistically significant.For patients, we found a statistically significant correlation between the theta-beta ratio and error rate. Correlations between beta-amplitudes and test performance on the one hand and sensori motor rhythm and test performance on the other hand were lower and statistically not significant. Our results suggest that the theta-beta ratio seems to be a good indicator for attention in healthy subjects and brain-injured patients with attention deficits. It is proposed to use the theta-beta ratio for neurofeedback training.