Topographic quantitative EEG measures of alpha and theta power changes during caffeine withdrawal: preliminary findings from normal subjects.
Neurophysiological consequences of withdrawal from caffeine are poorly understood. In particular, quantitative studies of EEG changes that may occur during the period of caffeine abstinence in caffeine dependent individuals have not been reported. In this pilot study, 13 physically- and psychiatrically-normal caffeine users were asked to abstain from caffeine for a period of 4 days. Quantitative EEGs were obtained prior to stopping caffeine and on Days 1, 2, and 4 of the caffeine abstinence period. Results indicated that significant increases in alpha and theta absolute power accompany the caffeine withdrawal process with return to the pre-abstinent EEG levels when caffeine usage is resumed. The implications of these findings are discussed with special reference to the possible need to control for the variable of caffeine usage in quantitative EEG studies of other phenomena.
Reeves
R R
RR
Department of Psychiatry, Louisiana State University School of Medicine, Shreveport 71130-3932, USA.
Struve
F A
FA
Patrick
G
G
Bullen
J A
JA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000513:Alpha Rhythm / Q000187:drug effects; D001931:Brain Mapping; D002110:Caffeine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D005583:Fourier Analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013826:Theta Rhythm / Q000187:drug effects
D002110:Caffeine