Author(s): Moretti DV, Paternicò D, Binetti G, Zanetti O and Frisoni GB
Mirror neurons have been localized in several locations, including the inferior parietal lobule (IPL). Increase of EEG alpha3/alpha2 frequency ratio has been detected in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) subjects who will convert in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We investigated of the association of alpha3/alpha2 frequency ratio with cortical thickness in IPL in MCI. 74 adult subjects with MCI underwent EEG recording and high resolution MRI. Alpha3/alpha2 power ratio as well as cortical thickness was computed for each subject. Three MCI groups were obtained according to increasing tertile values of alpha3/alpha2 ratio. Difference of cortical thickness among the groups was estimated. High a3/2 group had wider cortical thinning than other groups, mapped on the IPL, Supramarginal and Precuneus bilaterally. High EEG alpha3/alpha2 frequency power ratio was associated with atrophy of IPL areas in MCI subjects. A link between AD and disrupture of mirror neurons system could be hypothesized.
