Electroencephalography and Electromyography as a Non-Invasive Biomarker of Neural Regeneration: A Review of Central and Peripheral Nervous System Injury and Regeneration

A team of researchers led by Maryam Kheyrollah from the Quantitative Biology domain has published a comprehensive review on arXiv (2605.01767) exploring the use of electroencephalography (EEG) and electromyography (EMG) as non-invasive biomarkers for neural regeneration following central and peripheral nervous system injuries. The 30-page review, featuring 3 tables, contrasts the limited regenerative capacity of the CNS (e.g., stroke, spinal cord injury) with the enhanced repair in the PNS, supported by Schwann cells. The authors argue that while molecular mechanisms are well understood, functional biomarkers for real-time monitoring remain scarce. They present EEG as a tool to track cortical remapping, oscillatory power changes, and interhemispheric coherence recovery, while EMG provides direct insight into muscle activation and reinnervation. The proposed dual-system approach positions these techniques not just as diagnostics but as functional indicators of neuroplastic reorganization and clinical recovery.

The review systematically examines how EEG and EMG signals evolve during injury and regeneration. For CNS injuries, EEG typically shows global slowing and disrupted coherence early, then partial recovery of higher frequencies (alpha, beta) as the brain reorganizes. In PNS injuries, EEG can capture return of somatosensory evoked potentials as peripheral connectivity re-establishes, while EMG monitors restoration of functional motor output. The authors emphasize that combining both modalities provides a comprehensive picture of neuromuscular pathway integrity. This work bridges electrophysiology, plasticity, and clinical outcomes, offering a cost-effective, non-invasive way to track regeneration in real time. The paper is significant for both neurology and rehabilitation, potentially guiding therapies and improving prognosis for patients with nerve damage.