Patterns of covariant power and coherent EEG activity during rest in young adults

Functional cortical organization is not dependent on cognition only, but also reflects basic intrinsic individual characteristics stable over time and across physiological conditions that suggest the existence of self-organization patterns operating even during rest. The aim of the present study was to investigate the pattern of functional organization of EEG broad bands and coherent activity during rest by means of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) with closed and open eyes of 28 men and women. PCA revealed patterns of covariant oscillatory activity and functionally related regions with covariant coherent activity present during resting conditions, different for open and closed eyes. Different patterns of covariant oscillations within alpha frequencies were identified consistent with current notions on overlapping frequencies with different origin and behavioral context. Covariant coherent cortical networks were revealed congruent with functional systems described during cognitive processes; one, linking regions involved in visuo-motor coordination, another in language, and a third one in visuo-spatial processes suggesting that strong functional links are present during rest.