# Task-related EEG activation as a biomarker for early Alzheimer's Disease

> **NIH NIH R03** · UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH · 2020 · $152,500

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
The primary goal of this project is to examine a specific form of task-related EEG activity, as a
potential novel biomarker for early Alzheimer’s disease.
Despite recent progress in developing biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease, the existing suite of
measures faces limitations related to invasiveness, cost, high technological demands, and low
accessibility. To help address these challenges, this project will investigate EEG mid-frontal
theta power (MFT), as a potentially inexpensive, non-invasive, and easily-implemented
alternative. It is proposed that because Alzheimer’s disease involves the loss of cognitive and
neural reserve, individuals in early stages should require increased mental exertion to achieve a
given level of task performance. In turn, EEG MFT has been strongly linked to mental exertion,
and as such may be over-activated in early Alzheimer’s stages.
To assess the potential of MFT as a biomarker of mental exertion in early Alzheimer’s disease,
this project will recruit three groups of older adults (n = 40 each; 65 years-old or older; 50%
female) who are either cognitively-intact, or meet diagnostic criteria for amnestic Mild Cognitive
Impairment or early Alzheimer’s disease. The first Aim of the project is to examine differences in
MFT across these three groups, while controlling for differences in task performance. The
second Aim of the project is to examine the sensitivity of MFT to deficits in specific cognitive and
functional skills that tend to be affected in earlier disease stages.
To achieve these Aims, participants will complete a single, three-hour study session, involving a
brief diagnostic battery, assessments of cognitive and functional skills (instrumental activities of
daily living), and resting and task-related EEG recordings. MFT will be measured using a simple
task that is well-established to elicit MFT and related signals in these groups. Prior research has
shown that performance on such tasks largely overlaps in these groups. On that basis, analyses
will examine whether (1) individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment and early Alzheimer’s
disease exhibit greater MFT when performing at the same level as intact individuals, and (2)
whether MFT differentially relates to more complex cognitive and functional skills.
If successful, the proposed research could soon lead to improved screening for clinical trials,
and eventually to improved early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease itself. Because EEG MFT is
comparatively inexpensive, accessible, and easy-to-implement, it has the potential for wide and
rapid dissemination. This project is consistent with the mission of the National Institute on Aging.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9903186
- **Project number:** 5R03AG063044-02
- **Recipient organization:** UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
- **Principal Investigator:** Matthew Euler
- **Activity code:** R03 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $152,500
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-04-01 → 2023-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9903186

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9903186, Task-related EEG activation as a biomarker for early Alzheimer's Disease (5R03AG063044-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9903186. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*