Electroencephalogram Markers Associated with Mental Health and Pain Phenotypes in Knee Osteoarthritis

• Grant number: 24/09578-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: November 01, 2024
• End date: October 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Psychiatry
• Principal Investigator: Lucas Murrins Marques
• Grantee: Jordan Mendes Grise Vieira
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo (FCMSCSP). Fundação Arnaldo Vieira de Carvalho. São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Disabling conditions are a growing concern in medicine as we develop ways to increase survival after episodes of trauma or injuries to the nervous system. Furthermore, according to WHO data, currently more than one billion people live with some form of disability worldwide. Studies dedicated to evaluating rehabilitation and viable neuronal pathways in disabling conditions are of utmost importance to bring research advances into everyday clinical practice. However, considering that the mental health levels of these patients can impact the success of rehabilitation, the limited knowledge about the associations between neurophysiological and mental health aspects is one of the main limitations faced in building solid knowledge. This study represents a detailed exploratory analysis of the data collected in the ongoing FAPESP thematic project: "The deficit of inhibition as a marker of neuroplasticity in rehabilitation" (SPEC - São Paulo Excellence Chair Process FAPESP nº 2017/12943-8). The current research aims to significantly expand the scope of the initial study by applying advanced multivariate analysis techniques to explore the associations between various neurophysiological measures assessed by Electroencephalogram (EEG) and mental health levels in a database of patients with knee osteoarthritis undergoing neurological rehabilitation. The project plans to process EEG data already collected from 100 patients in this group, as well as 100 control individuals. Thus, understanding the neurophysiological markers of these clinical groups will facilitate understanding the mechanisms associated with the mental health profile. By focusing on a quantitative and exploratory approach, the project seeks to provide substantial insights into how subtle variations in EEG signals can reflect significant mental health changes, thus offering a promising pathway for early and personalized interventions in clinical settings. This study not only expands the understanding of neurophysiological biomarkers in mental health contexts but also reinforces the applicability of EEG analysis as a complementary diagnostic tool in psychological/psychiatric evaluation.