EEG spectral asymmetry is dependent on education level of men

Abstract

An objective indicator based on the asymmetry of electroencephalographic (EEG) signal spectrum has been shown promising for screening of population to discover occupational stress. However, the factors other than stress affect the EEG spectrum. The aim of the current study is to investigate the role of education level on EEG signals’ band relative powers. For this purpose, 18-channel resting eyes-closed EEG was recorded from 30 men having Bachelor or higher education (tertiary education) and 16 men declaring to have lower, upper or post-secondary education (secondary education). For those signals, relative theta, alpha, beta and gamma powers were calculated. The results indicated increase in relative gamma power for the subgroup of men having tertiary education compared to the subgroup of men having secondary education. No significant alterations were revealed in other relative band powers. Higher relative gamma power of men having higher level of education could be related to the higher cognitive load in their everyday life, as widespread gamma activation has been previously demonstrated during cognitive tasks. The results of the current study suggest that the level of education is one of the factors to be taken into account in EEG based evaluation of occupational stress or mental disorders.