[Multichannel EEG spectral analysis of the caffeine effect]

Abstract

By means of multichannel Eeg spectral analysis the central effects of caffeine have been investigated during a controlled factorial study with 9 male volunteers. The effects of coffee and caffeine solution with equal concentration, decaffeinated coffee and hot water have been compared on the basis of analysis of variance. The factorial experimental design implemented a randomization concerning the sequence of substances as well as days of week. The principal findings are following: coffee and caffeine solution of equal concentration on the one hand cannot be readily distinguished concerning their Eeg effects, on the other hand the decaffeinated coffee and hot water exhibit very similar Eeg effects. Very marked differences, however, have been found between the two groups of substances. Coffee and caffeine solution both produce a remarkable, highly significant reduction of theta-amplitude, dominant theta-frequency and theta-frequency-variation. The alterations within the alpha range are mainly increase of dominant frequency and decrease of amplitude. These findings may be interpreted as signs of remarkable activation and elevation of vigilance. It should be pointed out that the Eeg effects of caffeine, as well as those of other compounds with central effects, are characterized by topographically different effects. These are not only quantitative, but partially qualitative differences.