Assessment of Skin-Brain Interactions in Atopic Dermatitis Using Wearable EEG: An Exploratory Clinical Investigation

TL;DR

This study explores how wearable EEG can objectively measure brain responses to skin irritation in atopic dermatitis patients, showing promising results for neurosensory evaluation.

Contribution

The study introduces wearable EEG as a novel, non-invasive tool for assessing skin-brain interactions in atopic dermatitis.

Findings

Wearable EEG detected heightened sensory processing after lactic acid stimulation in AD patients.

Application of a topical product reduced neurosensory activity, suggesting soothing effects.

Dermatological assessments aligned with EEG findings, confirming physiological relevance.

Abstract

Background

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is associated with heightened neurosensory perception, including itch and discomfort, which are traditionally assessed using subjective or clinical measures. Objective evaluation of central nervous system involvement in AD remains limited. Wearable electroencephalography (EEG) devices offer a non-invasive approach to capture neurosensory responses and may serve as objective tools for assessing skin-brain interactions in neurosensorial dermatology.

Objective

This exploratory clinical investigation aimed to validate the feasibility, reliability, and sensitivity of a wearable EEG headband for neurosensory evaluation in adults with mild to moderate AD following topical application of a marketed product compared with control (water). Correlation with dermatological evaluations was included as supportive evidence to contextualize EEG findings.

Methodology

This randomized, double-blind, control-arm, validation study enrolled adults aged 18-65 years with mild to moderate AD. Participants were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either a marketed topical product or control (water). EEG recordings were obtained at baseline, following standardized 10% v/v lactic acid stimulation, and after product or control application during a single study visit. Changes in alpha (α), beta (β), delta (δ), and theta (θ) brainwave activity were analyzed to assess neurosensory responses. Dermatological evaluations were performed concurrently to support interpretation of EEG outcomes.

Results

EEG recordings demonstrated stable neurosensory patterns at baseline, followed by marked increases in cortical activity across multiple frequency bands after 10% v/v lactic acid stimulation, indicating heightened sensory processing. Following test product application, EEG profiles returned toward a calm and regulated state, with reduced low- and mid-frequency activity and stabilization of α rhythms, suggesting neurosensory recovery and tolerability. In contrast, control application did not result in EEG normalization, with sustained or increased activity across frequency bands, indicating persistent sensory reactivity. Dermatological assessments followed the same directional trends as EEG findings, supporting the physiological relevance of the neurosensory data.

Conclusion

This study validates wearable EEG as a feasible and sensitive methodology for objective neurosensory assessment in AD. EEG successfully differentiated between irritation-induced activation, product-related soothing, and control response, with supportive alignment from dermatological evaluations. These findings support the integration of EEG-based neurosensory endpoints in future dermatological research and early-phase product evaluation.

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