title: Acute cortisol administration modulates EEG alpha asymmetry in volunteers: relevance to depression.
abstract: The acute effects of cortisol (35mg) administration in 11 healthy male volunteers on resting frontal EEG asymmetry measured in the alpha band were investigated, using a within-subjects double-blind design. Results were indicative of a relative increase of right frontal activity with cortisol. This pattern of activity is similar to the deviant pattern that has been reported in patients suffering from depression, a condition often accompanied by elevated plasma cortisol levels. The significant effect on frontal asymmetry provides convergent support for our hypothesis, based upon previous results, that sustained (>30 minutes after stress termination) relative high levels of cortisol inhibit approach motivation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Hanzeplein 1, Groningen 9713 GZ, The Netherlands. m.tops@ppsw.rug.nl <m.tops@ppsw.rug.nl>
authors.forename: Mattie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tops
authors.forename: Albertus A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Wijers
authors.forename: Annoesjka S J
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: van Staveren
authors.forename: Klaas J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Bruin
authors.forename: Johan A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Den Boer
authors.forename: Theo F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Meijman
authors.forename: Jacob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Korf
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003863:Depression / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000187:drug effects*; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D006854:Hydrocortisone