Interdisciplinary cooperation project to develop an EEG method to measure the function of the auditory cortex of patients with AD(H)D

Duration of the project

01.02.2023. - 31.10.2023.

Countries and institutions involved in the project

flag-LV
Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music
flag-DE
Saarland University
flag-LT
Vilnius University

Project manager

Dr. Christine Groß

Aims of the project

Attention-Deficit-(Hyperactivity-) Disorder [AD(H)D] is worldwide one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in children/adolescents with up to 60% probability of prevailing into adulthood. So far, we found characteristic anatomical and functional differences in the auditory cortex of children/adolescents and adults with AD(H)D seen as differing morphology in the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and as a distinct left-right asynchrony of the primary auditory-evoked responses in the magnetoencephalography (MEG). This characteristic neuro-auditory profile is associated with deficits in the auditory perception. Interestingly, these deficits are significantly lower in musically trained children with AD(H)D. In order that these mentioned biomarkers of the auditory cortex could get applicable in clinical practice, a future large-scale study with a larger patient population should be performed. Therefore, all methods should be available in each cooperation country (Latvia, Lithuania and Germany). While MRI-facilities are easily available and accessible, MEG-facilities are only available in a very limited number (no MEG in Latvia or Lithuania) and are very cost-intensive. Hence, an easily accessible and low-priced alternative to MEG would be needed. The aim of the proposed project is to transfer the MEG methodology to the appropriate alternative electroencephalography (EEG) by sharing and synergistically combing the knowledge of all cooperation partners.

Main activities of the project

For this interdisciplinary project following collaborating activities are planned:

 

  1. 20.02.-28.02.2023:

Project start. Preparatory online meetings with all project partners to plan and organize the seminar and cooperation workshop (please see points 2-4) as well as the outreach activities (please see points 4-6).

Organized from the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music – these preparatory meetings will be held online.

 

  1. 28.02.-231.03.2023

In this time frame different online meetings and online cooperation workshops with the focus on “How to measure auditory functions in patients with AD(H)D via EEG”will take place in hybrid: in person at the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music, Riga and online. All members from the Vilnius university will participate in person (if possible), Dr. Bettina Serrallach and members from the Saarland university will participate online. Part A: The online meetings will be used to share expert knowledge about MEG measurement of the auditory cortex (Dr. Bettina Serrallach) and the possibilities to transfer the methodology of EEG (Prof. Dr. Inga Griškova-Bulanova), to exchange ideas and to discuss and plan the EEG-measurement of the auditory cortex. Part B: Online cooperation workshop: PhD students and researchers of the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music and the Vilnius university learn and discuss how to transfer the MEG methodology to an EEG-measurement. The auditory and musical stimuli will be transferred to EEG-measurement and the method will be tested an approved in this workshop by combining the knowledge of MEG measurements (Dr. Bettina Serrallach), EEG measurements (Prof. Dr. Inga Griškova-Bulanova) and by measuring EEG in patients with AD(H)D (Prof. Dr. Eva Möhler).

 

  1. 01.03.2023-30.03.2023

Fine-tuning of the newly developed EEG-measurement design. Pilot EEG-measurements (n=10) on patients with AD(H)D will be held in Germany, Saarland University, Clinic for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy. EEG will be evaluated, compared to previous findings and discussed with all project partners (Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music, Vilnius university and Saarland university). PhD students of all partners will be involved and will learn the newly developed method. Hybrid meetings with all project partners.

 

  1. 31.03.-05.04.2023

Pre-conference meeting, evaluation and preparation for the presentation at The COINS conference “Possibilities of measuring auditory functions in patients with AD(H)D via EEG” hybrid; online and in Riga (31.03.-02.04). Research meeting and workshop and public oral presentation (Dr. Christine Groß) at the Institute of Psychology, University of Tartu (organisator: Nele Põldver) about the recent research on measuring auditory function in children with AD(H)D via EEG and in Tartu (03.-05.04.2023).

  1. 24.04. – 26.04.2023

Presentation/ Workshop “Possibilities of measuring auditory functions in patients with AD(H)D via EEG” at the international conference of life sciences, The COINS, organized by the Vilnius University Students Representation. Oral presentation: Prof. Dr. Valdis Bernhofs. Poster Presentation: Jachin Pousson. The Conference can be moved to online format if the situation (coronavirus) requires it.

 

  1. 21.09.2023

Online lecture organized by the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music. The results of the project “EEG method to measure auditory functions in patients with AD(H)D” will be transferred to therapy approaches as well as to pedagogical syllabus and teaching outlines. The outcome will be presented in an online lecture for students, PhD students, teachers and psychologist of the Baltic States. The aim of this online lecture is to encourage networking within the Baltic states which may result in further research projects in the area of AD(H)D taking into account pedagogical and therapeutical aspects. The organization of this online seminar to present the results of the project as well as the possible future transferability in the field of psychology, therapy and pedagogy will be carried out by the project partners of the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music. The online lecture will be available on the website of the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music (https://www.jvlma.lv/en/) and will be linked on the websites of Saarland university and Vilnius university (estimated reach 100 participants) partners and will be the base of future publications and scientific conference participations.

Direct and indirect target group of the project

Direct: doctoral students and researcher (up to 5) of the musicology department of the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music, doctoral students, and project participants of the Vilnius university (up to 5).

 

Indirect:

  • Participants of the cooperation workshops and the lecture in Riga – students, doctoral students and researchers of the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music, Vilnius university and Saarland university (up to 40 participants).
  • Participants of the international The COINS conference in Vilnius.
  • Teachers, psychologist, psychiatrists and therapists and the scientific community related to the auditory functions of patients with AD(H)D (up to 1000 people)
    • Online Lecture
    • Publication is planned

Presentation on other international conferences (e.g. ICMPC, Neuromusic Conference)