Characterizing abnormalities in resting-state EEG microstates in patients with chronic subjective dizziness

Abstract Background Dizziness is one of the most prevalent clinical symptoms in neurology clinics. Nevertheless, the neural mechanisms of dizziness, especially the characterization of EEG microstates, remain incompletely elucidated. Objectives This study aimed to explore the potential characteristics of EEG microstate in patients with Chronic Subjective Dizziness (CSD) and the relationship between dizziness handicaps and EEG microstate parameters. Methods We recruited 29 patients with CSD and 31 age-matched healthy adults. The 128-channel EEG recording of all participants at resting state with eyes closed was performed. Dizziness handicap Inventory (DHI) was used to evaluate patients’ dizziness related handicaps. The EEG microstates was clustered into four classes (A, B, C, and D) and we identified their parameters for logistic analysis. Results The CSD group scored higher on BAI, BDI-13, and the time coverage and occurrence of Microstate B compared to the HC group. And the time coverage and occurrence of Microstate B were also significantly associated with dizziness handicaps in CSD patients. Logistic regression analysis showed that the occurrence of class B microstates (OR = 0.058, 95%CI: 0.005 ~ 0.744) was a significant indicator for distinguishing the CSD group from the HC group. Conclusion The temporal dynamic alternations of EEG microstates and the relationship between dizziness handicaps and Microstate B in patients with CSD may reflect anomalies in their visual network. These neurophysiological characteristics of EEG microstates could be significant for auxiliary diagnosis of dizziness.