Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice ›› 2026, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (9): 1016-1024.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-9771.2026.09.003

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Application of central auditory testing combined with electroencephalogram characteristics in the early screening of mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease

Sun Fengyi, Yin Haiyan, Yin Tingting, Yang Bingqing, Gu Jianpeng, Wang Yan, Bai Yamei, Xu Guihua, Song Yulei()   

  1. School of Nursing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
  • Received:2026-04-02 Revised:2026-07-21 Accepted:2026-07-22 Published:2026-09-25 Online:2026-09-20
  • Contact: Song Yulei E-mail:songyulei@njucm.edu.cn
  • Supported by:
    National Key Research and Development Program of China(2023YFC3603600);Superior Discipline Phase IV Project of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions(YSHL202503);Postgraduate Practice Innovation Program of Jiangsu Province(SJCX25_0908)

Abstract:

Objective To investigate the application of central auditory testing combined with electroencephalographic features in the early screening of mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease.

Methods A convenience sampling method was used to conduct a field survey in the Qixia District of Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province, from July to September, 2025. A total of 40 older adults diagnosed as mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease and 23 cognitively normal older adults were recruited. Auditory N-back and dichotic listening paradigms were employed for assessment, while the scores of Montreal Cognitive Assessment Beijing Version (MoCA-BJ) and 32-channel electroencephalogram (EEG) data were simultaneously collected. Binary logistic regression analysis was applied to identify predictive indicators, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted, and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated.

Results The total score of dichotic listening was positively correlated with overall cognitive function (r = 0.475, P < 0.01), while right-ear advantage showed negative correlations with overall cognition, visuospatial ability, abstract reasoning, and delayed recall (r < -0.276, P < 0.05). Task performance across all conditions of the N-back task was positively correlated with overall cognitive function (r > 0.249, P < 0.05). Regarding EEG features, δ and θ band power and power peaks were positively correlated with delayed recall (r > 0.258, P < 0.05), whereas (α+θ)/(α+β) and θ/(α+β) were positively correlated with naming ability and visuospatial executive function, respectively (r > 0.261, P < 0.05). The results of the binary logistic regression analysis showed that the total score of binaural dichotic listening, the accuracy of 1-back task, the average power of δ waves, and the ratio of θ/(α+β) were independent influencing factors for mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease (P< 0.05). The ROC analysis indicated that the AUC for auditory task performance and EEG features were 0.845 and 0.735 respectively, and when combined, the AUC increased to 0.862.

Conclusion The screening model based on the integration of auditory task performance and EEG features can be used in the early identification of mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease.

Key words: mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease, central auditory test, electroencephalogram, older adults, early screening

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