Wavelet entropy analysis of event-related potentials indicates modality-independent theta dominance

J Neurosci Methods. 2002 May 30;117(1):99-109. doi: 10.1016/s0165-0270(02)00095-x.

Abstract

Sensory/cognitive stimulation elicits multiple electroencephalogram (EEG)-oscillations that may be partly or fully overlapping over the time axis. To evaluate co-existent multi-frequency oscillations, EEG responses to unimodal (auditory or visual) and bimodal (combined auditory and visual) stimuli were analyzed by applying a new method called wavelet entropy (WE). The method is based on the wavelet transform (WT) and quantifies entropy of short segments of the event-related brain potentials (ERPs). For each modality, a significant transient decrease of WE emerged in the post-stimulus EEG epoch indicating a highly-ordered state in the ERP. WE minimum was always determined by a prominent dominance of theta (4-8 Hz) ERP components over other frequency bands. Event-related 'transition to order' was most pronounced and stable at anterior electrodes, and after bimodal stimulation. Being consistently observed across different modalities, a transient theta-dominated state may reflect a processing stage that is obligatory for stimulus evaluation, during which interfering activations from other frequency networks are minimized.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acoustic Stimulation
  • Adult
  • Alpha Rhythm
  • Auditory Perception / physiology*
  • Beta Rhythm
  • Biological Clocks / physiology
  • Cerebral Cortex / physiology*
  • Delta Rhythm
  • Entropy*
  • Evoked Potentials / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Nerve Net / physiology
  • Neurons / physiology
  • Photic Stimulation
  • Regression Analysis
  • Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted / instrumentation*
  • Theta Rhythm / instrumentation
  • Theta Rhythm / methods*
  • Time Factors
  • Visual Perception / physiology*