title: Some QEEG parameters and gender differences in schizophrenia patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gender issues are extensively explored in schizophrenia. A mounting body of research evidence suggests that there are gender differences in the age at onset, duration of untreated psychosis and presented psychopathology. In recent years, in order to obtain neurophysiologic explanation for the disturbed behavior and thinking in schizophrenia, numerous studies have been performed focusing on the QEEG parameters. However, the results were inconclusive. The aim of this study was to investigate the gender differences in some clinical and QEEG parameters in schizophrenia patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty schizophrenia patients were enrolled in the study (M/F ratio 13/17; mean age 34 years). The QEEG parameters which were analyzed were amplitude, mean frequency and relative power of the main bands of the basic activity. Clinical assessment was performed using the PANSS, BPRS and CGI scales.
  
  
  RESULTS
  QEEG parameters demonstrating statistically significant difference were amplitude and relative power in beta activity and lower mean theta frequency over left frontal, temporal and parietal regions in female patients who also had statistically significant differences in PANSS and BPRS scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Differences in amplitude and relative power in the beta bands in female schizophrenic patients are associated with more severe actual psychopathology. Considering the relatively small sample, the current results must be replicated with a larger group of drug-free patients to confirm the findings.
authors.affiliation: University Clinic of Psychiatry, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia. manushevan@gmail.com
authors.forename: Nensi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Manuševa
authors.forename: Antoni
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Novotni
authors.forename: Stojan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bajraktarov
authors.forename: Beti
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zafirova-Ivanovska
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001611:Beta Rhythm / Q000502:physiology; D001931:Brain Mapping; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011599:Psychopathology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D014478:Unemployment / Q000523:psychology