Quantitative electroencephalography as a tool for evaluating pain-related neurophysiologic responses in cattle: a systematic review.

EEG changes in cattle after noxious stimuli indicate nociception but cannot confirm conscious pain perception.

This systematic review critically evaluates the use of quantitative electroencephalography (EEG) to assess pain-related neurophysiologic responses in cattle, particularly in the context of slaughter and other noxious stimuli. Following PRISMA guidelines and searching four major databases, the authors identified 9 eligible studies. EEG changes following ventral neck incision and other noxious stimuli were characterized by transient increases in high-frequency activity and shifts in spectral indices including F50, F95, and total power (Ptot). Risk of bias across studies was rated as moderate using the ROBINS-I tool. The authors distinguish critically between nociception—neural signaling in response to a noxious stimulus—and conscious pain perception, which requires preserved consciousness and integrated cortical function. Their analysis suggests that observed EEG changes after ventral neck incision more likely reflect rapid hemodynamic and metabolic deterioration of cortical function rather than conscious pain experience. The evidence base is constrained by significant methodological heterogeneity, reliance on surface EEG recordings, motion artifacts, small sample sizes, and the inherent inability of EEG to localize deep pain-processing structures. These findings have direct implications for slaughterhouse regulations and animal welfare policy, while highlighting that EEG alone cannot currently confirm conscious pain perception in cattle. Veterinary professionals should interpret EEG-based pain assessments cautiously, recognizing the distinction between nociceptive signaling and conscious pain.

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