Evaluating Memory and Cognition via a Wearable EEG System: A Preliminary Study.

Human memory comprises one of the most complex brain functions, attracting researchers to unveil the neural mechanisms governing its effective operation. In this respect, the current study examines the application of a wearable single-channel EEG to the interpretation of cognitive operations reflecting memory processes. For this purpose, we implemented a set of tasks for evaluating the participants’ processing skills and memory efficiency, in order to examine potential outcomes derived from a specialized cognitive training routine. The employed training method targeted the distinction of automatic and controlled processing and its effects on memory, while we also investigated transfer effects to untrained tasks. Based on the electrophysiological data recorded during the cognitive tasks, we computed measures of induced EEG activity for each frequency band to examine the influence of cognitive training on both task performance and brain activity, as well as whether the EEG metrics could provide insight into the underlying brain processes and augment the interpretation of behavioral outcomes. Ultimately, statistical analysis showed an apparent contribution of EEG in understanding the observed behavioral differences, while our training program had a clear impact on the participants’ performance and brain activity. Moreover, we observed the reported distinction between automatic and controlled memory processes which play an integral part in both ageing and cognitive impairments.