A comparative study of different references for EEG default mode network: The use of the infinity reference
Clinical Neurophysiology June 15, 2010 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2010.03.056 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study with simulation and empirical EEG recording Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 15 |
| Population | Human subjects with eyes-closed EEG recordings |
| Topics | Default mode network |
| Citations | 207 |
| Key findings | The choice of EEG reference significantly alters power spectra, coherence, and default mode network connectivity, with REST providing the most accurate recovery of true network configuration. |
Abstract
ObjectiveThe choice of electroencephalograph (EEG) reference is a critical issue for the study of brain activity. The present study addressed the use of the infinity reference obtained by the reference electrode standardisation technique (REST) in the study of EEG default mode network (DMN).MethodsA total of 100 randomly positioned source configurations, each consisting of two dipoles with coherent waveforms, were adopted for simulating EEG networks. Dense (129-channel), eyes-closed EEG was recorded from 15 subjects. Simulated data with infinity as reference and the real data were re-referenced to reconstructed infinity (REST), their average (AR), linked mastoids (LM) and left mastoid (L) references. For simulated data, the effects of different references on coherence and network were investigated. For real data, spectral properties of seven conventional EEG frequency bands were first analysed and then DMN was constructed based on the coherence.ResultsThe simulation showed that REST can exactly recover the true EEG network configuration. For real EEG data, significant differences among references were found for the power spectra, coherence and DMN configuration. Compared with REST, the long-distance connectivity between anterior and posterior areas was strengthened by AR, and the connectivity over posterior areas was destroyed when LM and L were employed. Moreover, all comparisons demonstrated frequency-dependent reference effects.ConclusionsNon-neutral reference influences the power spectra, coherence as well as the network analysis. REST demonstrates its validity in data referencing, and meanwhile, AR is much closer to REST than the other references in terms of spectra and coherence. However, the DMN alters a great deal with AR.SignificanceThe results underscore the importance of considering EEG reference effects in the functional connectivity studies. REST is a promising reference technique for objective comparison in cross-laboratory studies and clinical practices.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on default mode network, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| A default mode of brain function Normal adult human brain | 2001 | Observational study | |
| Resting-State Functional Connectivity Reflects Structural Connectivity in the Default Mode Network Healthy subjects | 2008 | Observational cohort | |
| Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness Participants with extensive Insight meditation experience and matched controls | 2005 | Observational cohort | n = 20 |
| Meditation experience is associated with differences in default mode network activity and connectivity Experienced meditators and matched meditation-naive controls | 2011 | Observational cohort | |
| The precuneus/posterior cingulate cortex plays a pivotal role in the default mode network: Evidence from a partial correlation network analysis Healthy subjects | 2008 | Observational study |
Citations in the library
Cites 3
- A default mode of brain function Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences January 16, 2001
- EEG default mode network in the human brain: Spectral regional field powers Neuroimage January 17, 2008
- Functional connectivity in the resting brain: A network analysis of the default mode hypothesis Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences December 27, 2002