EEG frontal asymmetry in the depressed and remitted elderly: is it related to the trait or to the state of depression?
BACKGROUND
Over the last 30 years, frontal EEG asymmetry has been investigated with regards to the study of emotion, motivation, and psychopathology.


METHODS
We analyzed the frontal alpha asymmetry, depressive symptoms with a Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and quality of life with a Short Form Health Survey-36® (SF-36®) in depressed (n=12), remitted (n=8) and non-depressed (n=7) elderly subjects. We also evaluated the correlation between the frontal EEG asymmetry and physical and mental aspects of SF-36®.


RESULTS
The groups showed no difference regarding the frontal alpha asymmetry (F=0.37; p=0.69). Moreover, there was no significant correlation between frontal asymmetry and quality of life (mental and physical aspects).


CONCLUSIONS
The results showed no evidence of a relationship between frontal asymmetry, quality of life and depression in the elderly. Future studies on frontal asymmetry should carefully consider the effects of age.
Carvalho
Alessandro
A
Center for Alzheimer Disease and Related Disorders (CDA), Institute of Psychiatry (IPUB), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. aocarvalho@gmail.com
Moraes
Helena
H
Silveira
Heitor
H
Ribeiro
Pedro
P
Piedade
Roberto A M
RA
Deslandes
Andréa C
AC
Laks
Jerson
J
Versiani
Marcio
M
D000368:Aged; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life; D012074:Remission Induction