Matela, Nuno Miguel de Pinto Lobo e, 1978-Aarabi, ArdalanLopes, Inês Martins2024-02-152024-02-1520232023http://hdl.handle.net/10451/62658Tese de mestrado, Engenharia Biomédica e Biofísica , 2023, Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de CiênciasTimely recognition and diagnosis of post-stroke cognitive disorders is essential for effective treatment and mitigating cognitive decline. This approach aims to improve the overall quality of life for individuals affected by stroke-related cognitive impairments. The Trail Making Test (TMT) is a valuable tool for assessing cognitive function following a stroke diagnosis. The TMT consists of two parts: TMT-A and TMT-B. TMT-A primarily assesses processing speed, while TMT-B provides a measure of mental flexibility and cognitive shifting ability. This study investigated executive mechanisms of neuronal activity and define the brain structures involved in the execution of three versions of the computerized TMT: classic TMT, color classic TMT (ccTMT), and color TMT (cTMT), newly developed on the laboratory. High-density electroencephalography (HD-EEG) data from 30 healthy participants were analyzed to examine variations in four frequency bands, delta, theta, alpha, and beta, in sensor and source spaces. Additionally, functional connectivity and network dynamics were assessed using standardized low resolution electromagnetic tomography (sLORETA). Our findings indicate that TMT tasks strongly activate regions of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), highlighting their involvement in cognitive processing and executive functions. We observed increased theta band activity in the PFC during part B, reflecting greater cognitive effort for set-switching and mental flexibility. Additionally, we observed reduced connectivity in the four frequency bands, between TMT-B and TMT-A in various cortical regions. All of our findings suggest that both the TMT and ccTMT require stronger cognitive attention compared to the cTMT. The cTMT shows promise as a valuable tool for assessing executive abilities, particularly in post-stroke patients with compromised attentional capacity. Future research should include diverse clinical populations, such as individuals with stroke and neurodegenerative diseases, to assess the clinical utility of TMT and HD-EEG as cognitive screening tools, potentially enhancing patient care and stroke rehabilitation outcomes.engAcidente Vascular CerebralTrail Making TestEEG de Alta DensidadeLocalização de FontesConetividade FuncionalTeses de mestrado - 2023master thesis203524721