Periodic and Aperiodic Electroencephalographic Rhythms During Vigilance Transitions in Alzheimer's Disease Mild Cognitive Impairment

Carpi, Matteo; Henao Isaza, Veronica; Noce, Giuseppe; Salamone, Enrico; Del Percio, Claudio; Lopez, Susanna; Carducci, Filippo; Lizio, Roberta; De Bartolo, Mina; Jakhar, Dharmendra; Afragola, Antonio; Rossi, Chiara; Barjami, Lorenc; Soricelli, Andrea; Salvatore, Marco; Giubilei, Franco; Güntekin, Bahar; Yener, GÖRSEV; Massa, Federico; Arnaldi, Dario; Famà, Francesco; Pardini, Matteo; Ferri, Raffaele; Lanuzza, Bartolo; Stocchi, Fabrizio; Vacca, Laura; Coletti, Chiara; Marizzoni, Moira; Taylor, John-Paul; Hanoğlu, Lutfu; Yırıkoğulları, Harun; Frisoni, Giovanni; Cuoco, Sofia; Cappiello, Arianna; Barone, Paolo; Bonanni, Laura; D'Anselmo, Anita; Biundo, Roberta; Cauzzo, Simone; Fiorenzato, Eleonora; Antonini, Angelo; D'Antonio, Fabrizia; Bruno, Giuseppe; Infarinato, Francesco; Marziali, Simone; De Pandis, Maria; Babiloni, Claudio

doi:10.1111/nyas.70194

Periodic and Aperiodic Electroencephalographic Rhythms During Vigilance Transitions in Alzheimer's Disease Mild Cognitive Impairment

Carpi M., Henao Isaza V., Noce G., Salamone E. M., Del Percio C., Lopez S., ...More

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, vol.1555, no.1, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

Publication Type: Article / Article
Volume: 1555 Issue: 1
Publication Date: 2026
Doi Number: 10.1111/nyas.70194
Journal Name: Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Abstracts in Social Gerontology, BIOSIS, Child Development & Adolescent Studies, Chimica, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Public Affairs Index, zbMATH
Keywords: alpha rhythms, Alzheimer's disease (AD), aperiodic activity, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), resting-state electroencephalography (EEG), sleep–wake transitions, vigilance regulation
Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia is associated with marked disruptions in resting-state eyes-closed electroencephalographic (rsEEG) rhythms, particularly in the periodic alpha band (8–12 Hz), suggesting impaired vigilance regulation. In contrast, the aperiodic rsEEG component, reflecting global cortical arousal, has been reported to remain unchanged. This exploratory study examined periodic and aperiodic EEG activity in patients with mild cognitive impairment due to AD (ADMCI) during transitions from quiet wakefulness to light sleep. EEG datasets (∼30 min) from 19 ADMCI patients and 18 matched cognitively unimpaired older adults (control) were analyzed. Vigilance stages were scored using a reduced version of Hori's system, distinguishing the alpha-dominant wakefulness stage and the theta-dominant light sleep (ripples) stage. EEG spectra were parameterized using the specparam algorithm. ADMCI participants showed reduced reactivity of individual alpha power between the wakefulness and ripples stages compared to the control group. Conversely, both groups exhibited comparable increases in fronto-central theta power and steepening of the aperiodic slope and offset. No group differences emerged in aperiodic exponent and offset, although statistical power was limited by modest sample size. Overall, EEG alpha rhythms reflecting vigilance regulation are disrupted in prodromal AD, while periodic and aperiodic signatures of sleep onset are relatively preserved, suggesting selective vulnerability of attentional thalamocortical systems.