Electroencephalographic β-band oscillations in the sensorimotor network reflect motor symptom severity in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Abstract

Background and purpose: Resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) holds promise for assessing brain networks in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We investigated whether neural β-band oscillations in the sensorimotor network could serve as an objective quantitative measure of progressive motor impairment and functional disability in ALS patients. Methods: Resting-state EEG was recorded in 18 people with ALS and 38 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. We estimated source-localized β-band spectral power in the sensorimotor cortex. Clinical evaluation included lower (LMN) and upper motor neuron scores, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale–Revised score, fine motor function (FMF) subscore, and progression rate. Correlations between clinical scores and β-band power were analysed and corrected using a false discovery rate of q = 0.05. Results: β-Band power was significantly lower in people with ALS than controls (p = 0.004), and correlated with LMN score (R = −0.65, p = 0.013), FMF subscore (R = −0.53, p = 0.036), and FMF progression rate (R = 0.52, p = 0.036). Conclusions: β-Band spectral power in the sensorimotor cortex reflects clinically evaluated motor impairment in ALS. This technology merits further investigation as a biomarker of progressive functional disability.