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


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Stewart
Jennifer L
JL
Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721-0068, United States. j6stewart@ucsd.edu
Coan
James A
JA
Towers
David N
DN
Allen
John J B
JJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004576:Electromyography; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult
D015415:Biomarkers