Resting EEG theta power correlates with cognitive performance in healthy older adults

We address the degree to which resting EEG bandpower is associated with cognitive performance in 73 healthy older adults (aged 56–70). Relative theta (4–6.5 Hz) power was significantly correlated with immediate and delayed verbal recall, attention, and executive function measures. Relative delta and...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psychophysiology 2011-08, Vol.48 (8), p.1083-1087
Main Authors: Finnigan, Simon, Robertson, Ian H.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Aged/Demented
Aging
Aging - physiology
Attention
Attention - physiology
Brain - physiology
Brain Mapping
Brain Waves - physiology
Cognition
Cognition & reasoning
Cognition - physiology
Cognitive ability
Data processing
EEG
EEG/ERP
Electroencephalography
Executive function
Female
Humans
Male
Mental Recall - physiology
Middle Aged
Neuropsychological Tests
Older people
Oscillations
Physiological psychology
Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted
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Summary:We address the degree to which resting EEG bandpower is associated with cognitive performance in 73 healthy older adults (aged 56–70). Relative theta (4–6.5 Hz) power was significantly correlated with immediate and delayed verbal recall, attention, and executive function measures. Relative delta and alpha power and peak alpha frequency did not correlate with any cognitive measures. These data indicate that high resting theta power in healthy older adults is associated with better cognitive function and may be a marker of healthy neurocognitive aging. Comparison of these with previous findings suggests that two forms of theta‐frequency oscillations may exist; one indicative of healthy neurocognitive function and the other, EEG/alpha slowing linked to (future) substantial cognitive decline. Future EEG investigations of cognitive aging or decline should analyze both relative theta power and degree of EEG/alpha slowing so as not to confound these.
ISSN:0048-5772
1469-8986
1540-5958
DOI:10.1111/j.1469-8986.2010.01173.x