Quantitative spectral electroencephalography in predicting survival in patients with early Alzheimer disease.

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Abstract
ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAM (EEG) abnormalities in Alzheimer disease (AD) include increase of theta and delta activity and reduction of beta power.1-5 The changes in theta activity may occur early in the disease,5 whereas increase of delta is reported in the late stages.2 Follow-up studies show that slowing on spectral EEG at baseline is associated with more severe cognitive and functional decline in patients with AD.6-8 Although prediction of survival in patients with AD is important for family and caregivers and for planning of patient care, there are few follow-up studies on the predictive ability of EEG for survival in AD.3,8-10 The results have been inconsistent, with some studies reporting an association of EEG variables at baseline and survival,3,9,10 while in a more recent report this association was not statistically significant.8 Moreover, study populations included selected hospitalized patients10 and small numbers of patients,3,9 and the mean follow-up time was not more than 3 years.3,8-10