In the previous study, we demonstrated statistically significant differences in all frequency spectra of resting EEG between alcohol dependent subjects and healthy volunteers.In the second part of this study, the magnitude of EEG power spectra of delta, theta, alpha and beta power was examined to address the relationship between EEG spectral changes after activation methods and alcohol dependence. We examined EEG after activation procedures (eyes-open, hyperventilation). A group of 54 male alcoholics were selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. We compared this group with 54 age- and gender-matched control subjects from the group of healthy volunteers. Our results in power spectra of activated EEG (after eyes-open period, hyperventilation) showed statistically significant differences in reactivity to activation methods between alcohol dependent patients and healthy volunteers. Our data manifested significant contrast in modulation of alpha activity after EEG activation using eyes-open test. The present study reports statistically significant differences in reactivity to activation methods. Hence, the EEG spectra after activation methods in children of alcoholic, especially before alcohol exposure, need to be examined to consider these differences in reactivity to activation methods as an endophenotype marker of alcoholism.

Key words: alcohol dependence – EEG – quantitative analysis – endophenotype – Berger reaction – hyperventilation