A comparison of EEG activity in the left and right cerebral hemispheres by power-spectrum analysis during language and non-language tasks

Abstract

In 10 female subjects, power-spectrum analysis was performed on the alpha activity elicited during the resting state, 4 right hemispheric tasks, and 3 left hemispheric tasks. The data were treated in 3 ways: approach 1, comparing the right and left hemispheric alpha activity; approach 2, comparing the right and left hemispheric alpha activity adjusted for the resting state; and approach 3, comparing the right and left hemispheric alpha activity adjusted for the previous task. Approaches 1 and 2 revealed few significant differences in the alpha activity of the hemispheres, but approach 3 provided data that better fit the theory of decreased power spectrum or attenuation of activity in the activated hemisphere. Thus, approach 3 may be useful in developing an electroencephalographic test for determining cerebral dominance for language.