Age- and Sex-Related Characteristics of Spontaneous EEG and Cognitive ERP in Young School Children Living in the Arctic Region of Russian Federation
We studied the neurophysiological indices of age development in young school children (7-8 and 10-11 years) living in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation. We recorded resting electroencephalograms (EEGs) with open and closed eyes and event-related potentials (ERPs) in passive oddball paradigm in 33 children (18 boys and 15 girls). In the group of children aged 10-11 years, the spatial rearrangement (increase in amplitude in central frontal areas) and latency decreases of mismatch negativity were observed together with decreases in P300 latency period in central and parietal cortex. We also observed age-related differences in N1, N2 ERP components during passive perception of rare and frequent sounds, which reflect the processes of morphоlogical and functional maturation of cortex in children living in the Arctic region. The analysis of resting EEG showed there are common age-related EEG differences in both boys and girls (a decrease in the spectral power of delta and theta frequency bands with open eyes) and sex-related differences (different direction and parameters of age-related reorganization of bioelectric activity in alpha-1 and alpha-2 frequency bands).