Decoding Brainwaves: Electroencephalographic Power Alterations in Alcoholics Compared to Non-Alcoholics in Multimodal Association Areas

Abstract

Chronic alcoholism poses a significant public health concern, often leading to and functional and structural brain changes. These changes in themultimodal area of the brain can be evaluated using electroencephalographic (EEG), which reflects underlying neurophysiological dysfunctions. This case-control analytic study involved 30 alcoholic males aged 25 to 50 years, compared with 30 age-matched non-alcoholic controls. Alcoholicswere identified using the alcohol use disorder identification test (AUDIT) criteria. EEG recordings were obtained from the temporoparietaland occipital regions during eye-open and eye-closed states. Continuous variables were expressed as mean ± SD, with a significance level setat p < 0.05. In the alcoholic group, alpha and beta band power were significantly higher in the temporal region. In contrast, gamma power was significantlyreduced in the parieto-occipital regions during the eye-open state. Similarly, alpha and beta band power were elevated in the temporal regionsduring the eye-closed state, whereas gamma power was significantly lower in the occipital region (O2). The radar charts revealed evenlydistributed brain wave powers in controls, whereas alcoholics showed reduced overall power, except in the left temporoparietal region. The findings indicate increased alpha and beta power in the left temporoparietal region, reduced gamma power, and a generalized slowing ofhigher cognitive functions. These changes reflect impaired neurophysiological processes, particularly those associated with language, emotionalregulation, and cognitive flexibility, which are linked to alcohol-induced brain dysfunction.