Characteristics of the cognitive evoked potentials in elderly people with cognitive decline

Abstract

Results of research of cognitive visual evoked potentials in elderly women with various level of cognitive decline are shown in the article. Both relevance of the early diagnostics of cognitive disorders and expedience of use of methods of functional neurovisualization to reveal higher cortical dysfunctions are also shown. To appraise cognitive functions, we applied an express-method of evaluating of cognitive functions during normal aging. According to results of this test, two groups were created: the first were women without cognitive disorders and the second were women with mild cognitive impairment. The evoked potentials were registered for all participants using a 128-channel GES-300 system. Latency of P300-wave and reaction time were calculated. According to temporary characteristics of a P300-wave, it has been revealed that the group with cognitive decline differed in longer latent period in centro-temporo-parietal area of the left hemisphere, and also longer reaction time. However, latency of P300 in central-parietal areas of the right hemisphere was less than one in persons of the control group. These changes reflect dysfunction of structures of a medial temporal lobe, which is expressed mainly by memory disorders.