INTERHEMISPHERIC EEG COHERENCE DURING PHOTIC-STIMULATION - SEX-DIFFERENCES IN NORMAL YOUNG-ADULTS

The present study was conducted to examine sex differences in interhem ispheric EEG coherence in 15 male and 15 female healthy young adults, EEG was recorded during rest and photic stimulation (PS) at 5, 10 and 15 Hz using a linked earlobe reference. Interhemispheric coherence of the resting EEG revealed no significant sex-related differences for an y frequency band. In contrast, significant sex-related differences wer e found in EEG coherence during PS; the females had a significantly hi gher coherence than the males for F3-F4 and C3-C4 in the frequency ban d (4.5-5.5 Hz) corresponding to 5 Hz PS, In addition, the changes in i nterhemispheric coherence from rest to the stimulus condition (i.e. PS -related coherence reactivity) showed sex-related differences at the b rain region primarily involved in visual functioning; the females had significantly greater coherence reactivity for 01-02 in EEG during PS at 5 and 15 Hz. These findings indicate sex-related differences in int erhemispheric EEG coherence during PS, and support the well-demonstrat ed evidence that sex differences exist in the degree of lateralization of cerebral function.