Reduced alpha and exaggerated theta power during the resting-state EEG in fragile X syndrome

This study characterizes the resting-state EEG in males with fragile X syndrome to reveal abnormalities in oscillatory brain dynamics. Analyses of the eyes-closed EEG epochs showed that the resting-state EEG in FXS can be characterized by elevated relative theta power (4-8 Hz) and reduced relative upper-alpha power (10-12 Hz). Although preliminary, these findings suggest that the well-documented imbalance in excitatory/inhibitory cortical circuit activity in FXS can be revealed the level of oscillatory behavior at the scalp. A next step for future studies is linking the EEG resting-state indices to cognitive and behavioral measures.