• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.31-36
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• 2001

Background & Objectives : Fractal Dimension(FD) could be an index of correlation between variable parameters in non-linear chaotic signals. We tried to demonstrate that EEG wave is compatible with chaotic waves by measuring the Lyapunov exponent index and compared the difference of FD between variable age groups(teens, 30's, 50's) Methods : We estimated the Lyapunov exponent index and the FD from digital EEG data among five persons in each normal age groups by using the software which is programmed in our laboratory. Statistical analysis was done with SPSS win 8.0. The statistical differences of Lyapunov exponent index and FD between each electrodes and each age groups were done with ANOVA and paired sample t-test. Result : The Lyapunov exponent indexes were larger than 1 in each electrode and age group. There is no statistical difference in FD between each electrodes and each age groups. Except in 30th age group. In this group the FD of right hemisphere is larger than that of left hemisphere. Conclusion : The result of Lyapunov exponent index means EEG wave is a non-linear chaotic signal. And the results of FD suggest that chaotic parameters of right hemisphere is larger than those of left hemisphere at rest at least in younger people. We think that chaotic parameters can be a useful tool in investigating the variable diseases or brain states.