Auditory Cognitive Impairment Reflects Source Localization of the P300 ERP Component in MBI Patients: The sLORETA Investigation

Reza, Mohammed Faruque; Begum, Tahamina · 2025 · Crossref

DOI: 10.31083/jin25906

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Summary

This study investigates how auditory cognitive impairment in patients with mild brain injury (MBI) manifests in the source localization of the P300 event-related potential (ERP) component. Motivated by the need for objective assessments of cognitive deficits in MBI patients, who often suffer from attention and processing speed deficiencies, the researchers utilized standardized low-resolution electromagnetic tomography (sLORETA) to map neural activity. The goal was to determine if P300 source localization shifts in MBI patients compared to healthy controls and whether these shifts reflect compensatory neural mechanisms. The study employed a prospective observational design with 38 participants divided into a control group (n=19) and an MBI group (n=19). The MBI group was further assessed at two time points: 7 days after a road traffic accident (MBI 1st Test) and 2–6 months post-accident (MBI 2nd Test). Participants underwent an auditory oddball paradigm using 128-channel EEG nets, where they silently counted rare target tones while ignoring frequent standard tones. Data were processed using Net Station software, and sLORETA was applied to localize P300 sources at 400 ms post-stimulus. Statistical analyses included Mann-Whitney U tests for between-group comparisons and Wilcoxon Signed-Rank tests for within-group comparisons. Results indicated distinct differences in P300 source localization and intensity. For standard stimuli, the control group showed activation in the right superior frontal gyrus (BA11). In contrast, the MBI 1st Test group exhibited activation in the right superior temporal gyrus (BA38), while the MBI 2nd Test group showed activation in the left inferior frontal gyrus (BA47). For target stimuli, all groups activated BA11, but in different gyri: superior frontal gyrus (control), orbital gyrus (MBI 1st Test), and rectal gyrus (MBI 2nd Test). Dipole intensities were significantly higher in both MBI groups compared to controls for both stimulus types. Furthermore, intensities increased from the 1st to the 2nd test in the MBI group, with the 2nd test showing the highest values. Within all groups, target stimuli elicited significantly higher intensities than standard stimuli. The findings suggest that P300 source localization shifts in MBI patients due to auditory cognitive impairment. The significantly higher dipole intensities in the MBI group, particularly the increase observed in the later test phase, indicate that these patients engage in neural compensation to maintain cognitive performance. This reorganization of neuronal resources implies that MBI patients require greater effort to process auditory information, reflecting adaptive alterations in neural processing following brain injury. The study highlights the utility of sLORETA in identifying specific brain regions involved in cognitive impairment and recovery in MBI patients.

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