Influence of lateralized neuropsychological activities with and without sensorimotor components on EEG spectral power (alpha-rhythm).

Spectral analysis of the EEG (alpha-rhythm) was studied in 8 young right-handed men who underwent 6 experimental tasks which were compared with rest, and included two pure motor activities using only the right and then the left hand, two pure neuropsychological tasks, and two "mixed" tasks with both neurophysiological and motor activities. The electrophysiological parameters studied were the log of spectral power and an asymmetry index (RP-LP)/(RP + LP). In order to demonstrate lateralization of the EEG, one must associate lateralized motor and neuropsychological tasks (which are supposed to preferentially involve one of the cerebral hemispheres). These results may reconcile apparently divergent views published in the literature with respect to lateralized EEG modifications associated with cognitive activities.