title: Resting state alpha frequency is associated with menstrual cycle phase, estradiol and use of oral contraceptives.
abstract: Ongoing intrinsic brain activity in resting, but awake humans is dominated by alpha oscillations. In human, individual alpha frequency (IAF) is associated with cognitive performance. Noticeable, performance in cognitive and emotional tasks in women is associated with menstrual cycle phase and sex hormone levels, respectively. In the present study, we correlated frequency of alpha oscillation in resting women with menstrual cycle phase, sex hormone level, or use of oral contraceptives. Electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded from 57 women (aged 24.07 ± 3.67 years) having a natural menstrual cycle as well as from 57 women (aged 22.37 ± 2.20 years) using oral contraceptives while they sat in an armchair with eyes closed. Alpha frequency was related to the menstrual cycle phase. Luteal women showed highest and late follicular women showed lowest IAF or center frequency. Furthermore, IAF as well as center frequency correlated negatively with endogenous estradiol level, but did not reveal an association with endogenous progesterone. Women using oral contraceptives showed an alpha frequency similar to women in the early follicular phase. We suggest that endogenous estradiol modulate resting alpha frequency.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria; Department of Physiological Psychology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
authors.forename: Christina P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Brötzner
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiological Psychology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria; Center for Neurocognitive, Research, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Klimesch
authors.affiliation: Center for Neurocognitive, Research, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria; Department of Sportscience, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Doppelmayr
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiological Psychology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zauner
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria; Center for Neurocognitive, Research, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria. Electronic address: hubert.kerschbaum@sbg.ac.at.
authors.forename: Hubert H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Kerschbaum
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000513:Alpha Rhythm / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004958:Estradiol / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005498:Follicular Phase / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008183:Luteal Phase / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism; D012146:Rest; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol
keywords: Center frequency; Estradiol; Individual alpha frequency; Oral contraceptive