Neurophysiological signatures of sensory-processing sensitivity
BackgroundSensory processing sensitivity is mainly captured based on questionnaires and it’s neurophysiological basis is largely unknown. As hitherto no electroencephalography (EEG) study has been carried out, the aim of this work was to determine whether the self-reported level of SPS correlates wi...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-07-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Neuroscience |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2023.1200962/full |
| _version_ | 1827897456955752448 |
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| author | Nicole Meinersen-Schmidt Nike Walter Patricia Kulla Thomas Loew Thilo Hinterberger Joachim Kruse |
| author_facet | Nicole Meinersen-Schmidt Nike Walter Patricia Kulla Thomas Loew Thilo Hinterberger Joachim Kruse |
| author_sort | Nicole Meinersen-Schmidt |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundSensory processing sensitivity is mainly captured based on questionnaires and it’s neurophysiological basis is largely unknown. As hitherto no electroencephalography (EEG) study has been carried out, the aim of this work was to determine whether the self-reported level of SPS correlates with the EEG activity in different frequency bands.MethodsOne hundred fifteen participants were measured with 64-channel EEG during a task-free resting state. After artifact correction, a power spectrum time series was calculated using the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) for the following frequency bands: Delta: 1–3.5 Hz, theta: 4–7.5 Hz, alpha1: 8–10 Hz, alpha2: 10.5–12 Hz, beta1: 12.5–15 Hz, beta2: 15.5–25 Hz, gamma: 25.5–45 Hz, global: 1–45 Hz. Correlations with the ‘Highly Sensitive Person Scale’ (HSPS-G) scores were determined. Then, the lowest and the highest 30% of the cohort were contrasted as polar opposites. EEG features were compared between the two groups applying a paired two-tailed t-test.ResultsThe HSPS-G scores correlated statistically significantly positive with beta 1 and 2, and global EEG power during resting with eyes open, but not during resting with eyes closed. The highly sensitive group revealed higher beta power (4.38 ± 0.32 vs. 4.21 ± 0.17, p = 0.014), higher gamma power (4.21 ± 0.37 vs. 4.00 ± 0.25, p = 0.010), and increased global EEG power (4.38 ± 0.29 vs. 4.25 ± 0.17, p = 0.041). The higher EEG activity in the HSP group was most pronounced in the central, parietal, and temporal region, whereas lower EEG activity was most present in occipital areas.ConclusionFor the first time, neurophysiological signatures associated with SPS during a task free resting state were demonstrated. Evidence is provided that neural processes differ between HSP and non-HSP. During resting with eyes open HSP exhibit higher EEG activity suggesting increased information processing. The findings could be of importance for the development of biomarkers for clinical diagnostics and intervention efficacy evaluation. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T22:49:22Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c0d51a0c241046678407d1f208f8a9ca |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1662-453X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T22:49:22Z |
| publishDate | 2023-07-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Neuroscience |
| spelling | doaj.art-c0d51a0c241046678407d1f208f8a9ca2023-07-20T17:44:41ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Neuroscience1662-453X2023-07-011710.3389/fnins.2023.12009621200962Neurophysiological signatures of sensory-processing sensitivityNicole Meinersen-Schmidt0Nike Walter1Patricia Kulla2Thomas Loew3Thilo Hinterberger4Joachim Kruse5Department for Clinical Psychology and Trauma Therapy, University of the Bundeswehr Munich, Neubiberg, GermanySection of Applied Consciousness Sciences, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital of Regensburg, Regensburg, GermanyDepartment for Clinical Psychology and Trauma Therapy, University of the Bundeswehr Munich, Neubiberg, GermanySection of Applied Consciousness Sciences, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital of Regensburg, Regensburg, GermanySection of Applied Consciousness Sciences, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital of Regensburg, Regensburg, GermanyDepartment for Clinical Psychology and Trauma Therapy, University of the Bundeswehr Munich, Neubiberg, GermanyBackgroundSensory processing sensitivity is mainly captured based on questionnaires and it’s neurophysiological basis is largely unknown. As hitherto no electroencephalography (EEG) study has been carried out, the aim of this work was to determine whether the self-reported level of SPS correlates with the EEG activity in different frequency bands.MethodsOne hundred fifteen participants were measured with 64-channel EEG during a task-free resting state. After artifact correction, a power spectrum time series was calculated using the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) for the following frequency bands: Delta: 1–3.5 Hz, theta: 4–7.5 Hz, alpha1: 8–10 Hz, alpha2: 10.5–12 Hz, beta1: 12.5–15 Hz, beta2: 15.5–25 Hz, gamma: 25.5–45 Hz, global: 1–45 Hz. Correlations with the ‘Highly Sensitive Person Scale’ (HSPS-G) scores were determined. Then, the lowest and the highest 30% of the cohort were contrasted as polar opposites. EEG features were compared between the two groups applying a paired two-tailed t-test.ResultsThe HSPS-G scores correlated statistically significantly positive with beta 1 and 2, and global EEG power during resting with eyes open, but not during resting with eyes closed. The highly sensitive group revealed higher beta power (4.38 ± 0.32 vs. 4.21 ± 0.17, p = 0.014), higher gamma power (4.21 ± 0.37 vs. 4.00 ± 0.25, p = 0.010), and increased global EEG power (4.38 ± 0.29 vs. 4.25 ± 0.17, p = 0.041). The higher EEG activity in the HSP group was most pronounced in the central, parietal, and temporal region, whereas lower EEG activity was most present in occipital areas.ConclusionFor the first time, neurophysiological signatures associated with SPS during a task free resting state were demonstrated. Evidence is provided that neural processes differ between HSP and non-HSP. During resting with eyes open HSP exhibit higher EEG activity suggesting increased information processing. The findings could be of importance for the development of biomarkers for clinical diagnostics and intervention efficacy evaluation.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2023.1200962/fullsensory-processing sensitivityEEGglobal activitypower spectral densitydiagnostics |
| spellingShingle | Nicole Meinersen-Schmidt Nike Walter Patricia Kulla Thomas Loew Thilo Hinterberger Joachim Kruse Neurophysiological signatures of sensory-processing sensitivity Frontiers in Neuroscience sensory-processing sensitivity EEG global activity power spectral density diagnostics |
| title | Neurophysiological signatures of sensory-processing sensitivity |
| title_full | Neurophysiological signatures of sensory-processing sensitivity |
| title_fullStr | Neurophysiological signatures of sensory-processing sensitivity |
| title_full_unstemmed | Neurophysiological signatures of sensory-processing sensitivity |
| title_short | Neurophysiological signatures of sensory-processing sensitivity |
| title_sort | neurophysiological signatures of sensory processing sensitivity |
| topic | sensory-processing sensitivity EEG global activity power spectral density diagnostics |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2023.1200962/full |
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