Novel Single-Channel EEG Features Correlate with Working Memory Load

Abstract

Working Memory (WM) load is a cognitive feature, which is highly correlated with mental effort. Theta power, among other neurological biomarkers, shows increased activity with increasing WM load. These correspondences frequently break down in individuals with cognitive decline, making WM load biomarkers a potentially valuable tool for early detection of cognitive impairment. However, such studies used multiple-channel EEG headsets, which are not easy to use and accessible. Here we used a single-channel EEG set (Aurora by Neurosteer®) and evaluated the ability of novel features, previously extracted on a different dataset, to serve as WM load biomarkers. In a single experiment, fourteen participants underscored the widely used n-back task while their brain activity was recorded with the mobile EEG device. Frontal theta power, as well as two novel features, significantly correlated with the levels of WM load. However, the two novel features exhibited higher sensitivity to lower WM load changes. These more sensitive biomarkers of WM load are a promising tool for mass screening of mild cognitive impairment.