ABSTRACT The present study was aimed to evaluate gender differences in topographic distribution of spectral power and mean frequency characteristics during eyes-closed resting state in neurologically normal subjects. Twenty seven males and 27 females (age range 22-78 years old) were evaluated by eyes closed resting EEG. Data were collected from the 21 monopolar electrode sites of the International 10/20 system. Absolute power and mean frequency were computed for eight frequency bands, and Repeated-measures ANOVAs were used to evaluate effects of laterality, sagittality and hemisphere as within-subject factors, and gender as a between-subject factor on brain electric activity. Overall power of brain electric activity was higher in females in comparison with males. Dominating alpha-2 activity was faster in males in comparison with females, the fastest beta-2 band was characterized by higher frequency in males as well. In addition, left hemisphere was more activated in females, and right hemisphere was more activated in males. Females are characterized by more generalized activity of a default mode system during resting state in comparison with males. In contrast, males demonstrate higher activation of convexital cortex. Our findings of higher activation of left hemisphere in females and oppositely more prominent activation of right hemisphere in males are consistent with previous neuropsychological studies.
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