Resting‐state alpha electroencephalographic rhythms are differently related to gender in cognitively unimpaired seniors and in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer’s disease

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundHere we tested the hypothesis that gender may diversely affect resting state eyes‐closed electroencephalographic (rsEEG) alpha (8‐12 Hz) rhythms recorded in normal elderly (Nold) seniors and patients with Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment (ADMCI).MethodClinical and rsEEG datasets in 69 ADMCI and 57 Nold individuals ‐ matched as demography, education, and gender ‐ were taken from an international archive. The rsEEG rhythms were investigated at individual delta, theta, and alpha frequency bands as well as fixed beta (14‐30 Hz) and gamma (30‐40 Hz) bands. Each group was stratified into two subgroups based on gender (i.e., female and male).ResultAs compared to the Nold female subgroup, the male one showed greater reductions in the rsEEG alpha rhythms topographically widespread. In relation to the ADMCI female subgroup, the male one showed greater reductions in the rsEEG alpha rhythms with major topographical effects in posterior regions. Notably, the ADMCI subgroups pointed to similar cerebrospinal fluid AD diagnostic biomarkers, gray and white matter brain lesions as revealed by neuroimaging, and clinical and neuropsychological scores.ConclusionThe present results suggest that gender may represent a deranging factor for dominant rsEEG alpha rhythms topographically widespread in Nold seniors and topographically posterior in ADMCI patients.