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. 2011 Mar;129(1-3):167-74.
doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2010.08.029. Epub 2010 Sep 25.

Frontal EEG asymmetry during emotional challenge differentiates individuals with and without lifetime major depressive disorder

Jennifer L Stewart  1 , James A Coan, David N Towers, John J B Allen
Affiliations

Frontal EEG asymmetry during emotional challenge differentiates individuals with and without lifetime major depressive disorder

Jennifer L Stewart et al. J Affect Disord. 2011 Mar.

Abstract

Background: Although it has been argued that frontal electroencephalographic (EEG) asymmetry at rest may be a risk marker for major depressive disorder (MDD), it is unclear whether a pattern of relatively less left than right activity characterizes depressed individuals during emotional challenges. Examination of frontal asymmetry during emotion task manipulations could provide an assessment of the function of systems relevant for MDD, and test the limits of frontal EEG asymmetry as a marker of risk for depression.

Methods: EEG data were assessed during a facial emotion task, wherein 306 individuals age 18-34 (31% male) with (n=143) and without (n=163) DSM-IV defined lifetime MDD made directed facial actions of approach (angry and happy) and withdrawal (afraid and sad) expressions.

Results: Lifetime depressed individuals displayed less relative left frontal activity than never-depressed individuals during all facial expressions across four EEG reference montages, findings that were not due to emotional experience, facial expression quality, electromyographic (EMG) activity, or current depression status.

Limitations: Although this was a sizable sample, only one emotion task was utilized.

Conclusions: Results provide further support for frontal EEG asymmetry as a risk marker for MDD.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest.

All authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flowchart of Participant screening and enrollment.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Alpha asymmetry scores (8–13Hz at F2-F1, F4-F3, F6-F5, F8-F7) by lifetime MDD status for each reference montage (AVG = average, CSD = current source density, CZ = Cz, and LM = linked mastoid) across all four facial expressions. Error bars reflect standard error. Y-axis is ln μV2 for AVG, Cz, and LM references, and ln μV2/cm2 for CSD referenced data.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Alpha asymmetry scores (8–13Hz at F2-F1, F4-F3, F6-F5, F8-F7) by current MDD status for each reference montage (AVG = average, CSD = current source density, CZ = Cz, and LM = linked mastoid) across all four facial expressions. Error bars reflect standard error. Y-axis is ln μV2 for AVG, Cz, and LM references, and ln μV2/cm2 for CSD referenced data.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Alpha asymmetry scores (8–13Hz at F2-F1, F4-F3, F6-F5, F8-F7) after EMG (70–90Hz) residualization as function of lifetime MDD status for three reference montages (AVG = average, CZ = Cz, and LM = linked mastoid) across all four facial expressions. Error bars reflect standard error. Y-axis is ln μV2.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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    1. Bismark AW, Moreno FA, Stewart JL, Towers DN, Coan JA, Oas J, Erickson RP, Allen JJB. Polymorphisms of the HTR1a allele are linked to frontal brain electrical asymmetry. Biological Psychology. 2010;2:153–158. - PMC - PubMed

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