Prefrontal–parietal correlation during performance of the towers of Hanoi task in male children, adolescents and young adults

Potential age differences in the electroencephalographic (EEG) correlation (r) between the prefrontal and parietal cortices during performance of the Tower of Hanoi task were studied. In three groups of healthy males (G1, 11–13; G2, 18–20, and G3, 26–30, years of age) EEGs were recorded at baseline and during performance of the Tower of Hanoi task. The parameters of the task showed no significant differences among groups, though the majority of younger subjects failed to complete it. The G1 group showed increases only in the interparietal r. The G2 group showed an increased interhemispheric and intrahemispheric r in almost all frequency bands, while the r in G3 increased only in selected frequency bands in the right hemisphere. These findings demonstrate that the functional coupling between these two cortices shows a characteristic pattern during performance of the Hanoi task that, while specific to each age group, was not associated with the successful performance of the task.

* EEG correlation between prefrontal and parietal cortices changes with the age. * Specific correlation patterns were obtained during Hanoi performance with age. * 11–13 years old males showed a poor correlation and poor performance in Tower of Hanoi. * 18–20 years old males had adequate Hanoi performance and coupling of all EEG bands. * 26–30 years old males had adequate Hanoi performance and coupling in selective bands.