Cortical processing during smartphone text messaging.

Cortical processing during smartphone text messaging.

Epilepsy Behav. 2016 Apr 28;59:117-121

Authors: Tatum WO, DiCiaccio B, Yelvington KH

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to report the EEG features of text messaging using smartphones.
METHODS: One hundred twenty-nine patients were prospectively evaluated during video-EEG monitoring (VEM) over 16months. A reproducible texting rhythm (TR) present during active text messaging with a smartphone was compared with passive and forced audio telephone use, thumb/finger movements, cognitive testing/calculation, scanning eye movements, and speech/language tasks in patients with and without epilepsy. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05.
RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients with a TR were identified from a cohort of 129 (93 female, mean age: 36; range: 18-71) unselected VEM patients. Fifty-three out of 129 patients had epileptic seizures (ES), 74/129 had nonepileptic seizures (NES), and 2/129 were dual-diagnosed. A reproducible TR was present in 27/129 (20.9%) specific to text messaging (p<0.0001) and present in 28% of patients with ES and 16% of patients with NES (p=NS). The TR was absent during independent tasks and audio cellular telephone use (p<0.0001). Age, gender, epilepsy type, MRI results, and EEG lateralization in patients with focal seizures were unrelated (p=NS).
CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the TR on scalp EEG represents a novel technology-specific neurophysiological alteration of brain networks. We propose that cortical processing in the contemporary brain is uniquely activated by the use of PEDs.
SIGNIFICANCE: These findings have practical implications that could impact industry and research in nonverbal communication.

PMID: 27131913 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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