Bioelectric activity of the brain in 3-4 years old children in eyes-open resting state

Background. Electroencephalography is the main technique for assessing the functional state of the brain. Indications for EEG are diagnosis of paroxysmal states, prediction of the outcome of a pathological state, evaluation of bioelectrical activity if brain death is suspected. Up to 90 % of the native EEG in calm wakefulness in healthy individuals is occupied by “alpha activity”. In children in active wakefulness, the EEG pattern depends to a great extent on their age.
Objective. The aim of the work was to assess EEG parameters in children aged 3–4 years in eyes-open resting state. Design and methods. 31 healthy participants aged 3–4 years were enrolled. EEG was registered for 30 minutes in a state of passive wakefulness in the supine position with open eyes. Average values of the power of the spectra for the alpha-rhythm, delta-rhythm and theta-rhythm in the frontal and temporal leads, as well as the ratio of the average power of alpha/theta and alpha/delta rhythms in the frontal and temporal leads were calculated.
Results. Average power of the alpha-rhythm was significantly higher over the right frontal lobe than over the right frontal-temporal area, as well as average amplitude of it was significantly higher in F3-A1 than F7-A1, F4-A2 than F8-A2, which is associated with the articulatory praxis. Average alpha-rhythm power was significantly higher in T5-A1 than T3-A1 and T6-A2 than T4-A2, which corresponds to the recognition and naming of objects optically. Significant differences according to the total average power of the alpha- and theta-rhythms above the frontal and frontal-temporal regions reflect the relationship between the frontal cortex temporal lobes and the premotor zones, i.e. arcuate bundle, responsible for the “speech system”.
Conclusion. The identified patterns can reflect the characteristics of the state of active wakefulness in a 3–4-year-old child and can be used for comparison in the future (both in the course of behavioral experiments and observation of patients with certain pathological processes).

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