title: Frontal-posterior coherence and cognitive function in older adults.
abstract: The reliable measurement of brain health and cognitive function is essential in mitigating the negative effects associated with cognitive decline through early and accurate diagnosis of change. The present research explored the relationship between EEG coherence for electrodes within frontal and posterior regions, as well as coherence between frontal and posterior electrodes and performance on standard neuropsychological measures of memory and executive function. EEG coherence for eyes-closed resting-state EEG activity was calculated for delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma frequency bands. Participants (N=66; mean age=67.15years) had their resting-state EEGs recorded and completed a neuropsychological battery that assessed memory and executive function, two cognitive domains that are significantly affected during aging. A positive relationship was observed between coherence within the frontal region and performance on measures of memory and executive function for delta and beta frequency bands. In addition, an inverse relationship was observed for coherence between frontal and posterior electrode pairs, particularly within the theta frequency band, and performance on Digit Span Sequencing, a measure of working memory. The present research supports a more substantial link between EEG coherence, rather than spectral power, and cognitive function. Continued study in this area may enable EEG to be applied broadly as a diagnostic measure of cognitive ability.
authors.affiliation: Stockton University, School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, 101 Vera King Farris Drive, Galloway, NJ 08205, United States. Electronic address: Jessica.Fleck@stockton.edu.
authors.forename: Jessica I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Fleck
authors.affiliation: Stockton University, School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, 101 Vera King Farris Drive, Galloway, NJ 08205, United States.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kuti
authors.affiliation: Stockton University, School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, 101 Vera King Farris Drive, Galloway, NJ 08205, United States.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: Stockton University, School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, 101 Vera King Farris Drive, Galloway, NJ 08205, United States.
authors.forename: Jessica R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Mahon
authors.affiliation: Stockton University, School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, 101 Vera King Farris Drive, Galloway, NJ 08205, United States.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gayda-Chelder
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D058256:Brain Waves / Q000502:physiology*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D058407:Electroencephalography Phase Synchronization / Q000502:physiology*; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged
keywords: Aging; Cognitive decline; Coherence; Executive function; Memory; Resting-state EEG