Alpha band EEG coherence in healthy nonagenarians.

OBJECTIVE: Electroencephalographic (EEG) coherence is a parameter that enables evaluation of cerebral connectivity. It may be related to the functional state of the brain. In the elderly, it may reflect the neuronal loss caused by aging. To describe characteristics of coherence in nonagenarians.

METHODS: We evaluated interhemispheric coherence for the alpha band in 42 cognitively normal individuals aged 90 to 101 years. Coherence values in the occipital electrode (O1O2), in the resting state with closed eyes, were calculated by means of spectral analysis using digital EEG EMSA 32 channels, 12 bits and a frequency of 200 Hz.

RESULTS: The mean coherence value for the alpha band at O1O2 was 0.65 (SD 0.13). No significant differences were found between men and women.

CONCLUSIONS: The findings from this study did not show any decrease in interhemispheric coherence for the alpha band in cognitively normal nonagenarians. This may be useful as a standard value for this age group.