Turner's syndrome: a qualitative and quantitative analysis of EEG background activity

A qualitative and quantitative analysis was performed on the EEG background activity in 62 Danish girls and women with Turner's syndrome (30 with karyotype 45,X and 32 with other karyotypes) whose ages ranged from 6 to 47 years (87% were aged 15 years or more) and age-matched controls. The pooled data and a case-control study showed characteristic features in Turner subjects, including: (1) more rapid frequency, larger amplitude and lower amount of alpha waves, (2) higher amount of theta waves, (3) larger amplitude and higher amount of delta waves and (4) larger amplitude and higher amount of beta waves than in controls. These findings in Turner subjects were more pronounced in the left hemisphere, and more typical, except for the amplitude in alpha waves, in Turner subjects with 45,X than in those with other karyotypes. The effects of advancing age on the EEG background activity observed in controls--including more rapid frequency, decreased amplitude and amount of alpha waves, increased amount of theta and delta waves, and increased amount of beta waves, particularly after 35 years of age--were found in some Turner subjects. Hemispheric differences with higher activity (i.e. more rapid frequency, larger amplitude and higher amount of alpha waves, particularly at Fp1 and F3, and, inversely, lower amount of theta or delta waves) at P3, T3, T5 and O2 than at the opposite side were found in many Turner subjects. However, these findings were not specific for Turner subjects, since the same hemispheric differences were also observed much more markedly in controls. These topographic distributions with hemispheric differences did not provide evidence for hypofunction in the temporo-parieto-occipital tertiary area of the right hemisphere in Turner subjects, though this had been expected on the basis of neuropsychological examinations. Our findings, including transiently appearing brain hypofunction at the parietal, temporal and occipital areas, most often in the right hemisphere, indicate a relationship between the chromosomal constitution 45,X and EEG background activity. They suggest the presence of functional brain disturbance in the thalamus and in the ascending reticular activating system, which tends to disturb the thalamo-cortical circuit. Further studies, including topographic and sequential power spectrum analysis of EEG background activity, 24-h continuous EEG recording, blood flow studies (positron computerized tomography) and neuropathological examination, may be needed.