Specificity of frequency-spatial organization of brain activity in coronary heart disease associated with self-assessment of emotion control in men and women

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Deficit in the regulation of emotional stress is considered as an important factor in the development of coronary heart disease (CHD). The functions of assessment and regulation of emotions are performed by the structures of the prefrontal cortex and amygdala, the activation and interaction of which differs in men and women. In this regard, the question of the gender specificity of the cortical mechanisms of emotional regulation associated with coronary artery disease is relevant.

AIM: To find out the significance of self-assessment of emotional control of behavior (EC) in the frequency-spatial organization of brain activity in men and women with CHD.

METHODS: The study was performed in a cardiology clinic involving 56 men (61.2±8.5 years) and 19 women (67.4±4.8 years) diagnosed with CHD. To analyze the frequency-spatial organization of the resting EEG, we used 64-channel EEG recording and calculation of the power of rhythms in six frequency ranges from 4 to 30 Hz using a fast Fourier transform. Spearman's non-parametric correlation analysis was used to determine the correlation of EC as a personality trait according to the questionnaire of emotional intelligence and EEG power indicators.

RESULTS: Correlation analysis of EC and average EEG power indicators revealed positive relationships in the range of 4–13 Hz in the group of men and negative in the group of women (0.19 <rs <0.28 and –0.20 <rs <–0.40, respectively; p <0.030). The regional specificity of the detected effect was characterized by a significant relationship between EC and the power of theta 2, alpha 1, 2, presented in the anterior part of the cortex with the dominance of the left hemisphere in men, but in the posterior part of both hemispheres — in women, and the latter effect was limited by theta 2 and alpha 1 frequency.

CONCLUSION: The results of the performed analysis of the relationship of EC and regional indicators of resting EEG power in the 6–13 Hz range indicate different forms of control of the emotional state in women and men with CHD.

Keywords

emotional state control / gender differences / ischemic heart disease / EEG / prefrontal cortex

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