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Characterization of Neural Activity Using Complex Network Theory

Part of the book series: Springer Theses ((Springer Theses))

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Abstract

The current Doctoral Thesis focuses on characterizing brain network dynamics by means of Complex Network Theory to elucidate neural substrates in schizophrenia disorder. Electroencephalographic (EEG) signals, acquired during a cognitive task, were used to obtain connectivity matrices that describe the functional brain network. Graph measures were computed from these matrices using coherence and phase-based measures. These investigations have led to results which have been published, or accepted for publication, in journals indexed in the Journal Citation Reports from Thomson Reuters Web of Science™(JCR-WOS). Specifically, up to five papers were published between July 2015 and August 2018. Additionally, one more paper was accepted for publication (April 2018). This scientific productivity has allowed writing this work as a compendium of publications. The thematic consistency of the papers included in the Thesis is justified in this introductory chapter (Sect. 1.1). The general context of Biomedical Engineering and neural signal processing is briefly described in Sect. 1.2. Section 1.3 is devoted to schizophrenia disorder. Section 1.4 is oriented to explain physiological underpinnings of the EEG recordings. In Sect. 1.5, the basis of neural oscillations and their generation is explained. Section 1.6 is focused on Event-Related Potential (ERP) and its usefulness in research. Finally, Sect. 1.7 provides the basis for understanding the current tendency to model brain interactions as a graph. The latter, indeed, motivates the research problem and, subsequently, the research questions.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Only one of these symptoms is required if delusions are bizarre or hallucinations consist of a voice keeping up a running commentary on the person’s behavior or thoughts, or two or more voices conversing with each other [16].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biomedical Engineering Group, University of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain

    Dr. Javier Gomez-Pilar

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  1. Dr. Javier Gomez-Pilar
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Correspondence to Javier Gomez-Pilar .

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Gomez-Pilar, J. (2021). Introduction. In: Characterization of Neural Activity Using Complex Network Theory . Springer Theses. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-49900-6_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-49900-6_1

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