title: Sex differences in human EEG theta oscillations during spatial navigation in virtual reality.
abstract: The present study examines theta oscillations (electroencephalographic (EEG) activity with a frequency of 4-8 Hz) in male and female young adults during spatial navigation in virtual environments. Twenty-seven participants (13 males and 14 females) performed a spatial navigation task in a virtual maze where they had to find the shortest ways between landmarks. Absolute theta band power and event-related desynchronisation/synchronisation (ERD/ERS) in the theta frequency band was used to analyze the EEG data. Processing of spatial cues or landmarks induced cortical theta activity compared to a baseline condition, confirming the hypothesis that theta oscillations reflect sensorimotor integration. The sensorimotor integration hypothesis proposes that theta oscillations coordinate sensory information with a motor plan to direct wayfinding behaviour to known goal locations. No sex differences were found in spatial performance. However, female participants showed a stronger increase in theta oscillations during processing of landmarks as navigational aids compared to a baseline condition than men. Additionally, a higher theta power was associated with an increased navigation performance in women, whereas an increase in theta power was associated with a decreased navigation performance in men. These results might indicate a stronger sensorimotor integration in females than in males. Possible explanations for the emerged sex differences in cortical theta activity are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Graz, Graz, Austria. silvia.kober@uni-graz.at
authors.forename: Silvia Erika
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Kober
authors.forename: Christa
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Neuper
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003196:Computer Graphics; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003463:Cues; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D021641:Recognition, Psychology / Q000502:physiology; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013028:Space Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D013826:Theta Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult