Brain Network Connectivity During Resting-State and a Visuospatial Task as a Biomarker for Spatial Neglect in Stroke Patients

BackgroundSpatial neglect (SN) is a common visual attention deficit affecting stroke patients due to large-scale disruptions within brain networks. Most studies have focused only on resting-state, but effective rehabilitation requires a clearer understanding of how brain networks change during visuospatial tasks.ObjectiveThis study aims to identify network disruptions associated with neglect by comparing resting-state and task-based electroencephalography (EEG) connectivity patterns in stroke patients with and without neglect.MethodsWe recorded EEG data from 28 stroke patients using the augmented reality (AR)-based EEG-guided neglect detection system (AREEN) during resting-state and a visuospatial task. Connectivity was measured using coherence in delta, theta, alpha, and beta bands for both conditions, with gamma-band coherence assessed only during the task. Graph-based metrics were applied to model network-level disruptions. Classification models evaluated the significance of connectivity features to find patterns predictive of neglect.ResultsThe neglect group showed reduced connectivity in frontal and right parieto-occipital (ParOcc) regions, primarily in beta and theta bands, during both conditions, with additional gamma-band connectivity differences in the task condition, compared to the non-neglect group. Conversely, connectivity was greater in central and midline regions, which may indicate a maladaptive shift in network organization. Classification models accurately classified patients into neglect and non-neglect groups (resting-state: 87.0% ± 0.7%; task: 80.9% ± 16.0%). Feature importance analysis identified eigenvector and closeness centrality within frontal, right ParOcc, and central regions as key predictors.ConclusionsNetwork disruptions can effectively identify SN and provide potential targets for connectivity-based rehabilitation. Future studies should investigate whether these interventions improve attention and recovery in stroke patients.This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under ID NCT04187131.