title: Neuronal generators of posterior EEG alpha reflect individual differences in prioritizing personal spirituality.
abstract: Prominent posterior EEG alpha is associated with depression and clinical response to antidepressants. Given that religious belief was protective against depression in a longitudinal study of familial risk, we hypothesized that individuals who differed by strength of spiritual beliefs might also differ in EEG alpha. Clinical evaluations and self-reports of the importance of religion or spirituality (R/S) were obtained from 52 participants, and again at 10-y followup when EEG was measured. EEG alpha was quantified using frequency PCA of current source densities (CSD-fPCA). Participants who rated R/S as highly important at initial assessment showed greater alpha compared to those who did not. Those who rated R/S important in both sessions showed greater alpha than those who changed their ratings. EEG differences were particularly well-defined for participants with lifetime depression. Findings extend the view of alpha as a marker for affective processes, suggesting an association with the ontogenesis of spirituality.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cognitive Neuroscience, NYS Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, United States; Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, United States. Electronic address: cet2103@columbia.edu.
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Tenke
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kayser
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Warner
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wickramaratne
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Weissman
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Bruder
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000513:Alpha Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001931:Brain Mapping; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D029181:Spirituality
keywords: Current source density; Depression risk; EEG alpha; Religion; Spirituality