title: Frontal alpha EEG asymmetry before and after behavioral activation treatment for depression.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mid-frontal and mid-lateral (F3/F4 and F7/F8) EEG asymmetry has been associated with motivation and affect. We examined alpha EEG asymmetry in depressed and healthy participants before and after Behavioral Activation treatment for depression; examined the association between alpha EEG asymmetry and motivational systems and affect; and evaluated the utility of alpha EEG asymmetry in predicting remission.
  
  
  METHODS
  Depressed (n=37) and healthy participants (n=35) were assessed before and after treatment using a clinical interview, a task to measure baseline EEG, and questionnaires of behavioral activation and inhibition, avoidance, and affect.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Alpha EEG asymmetry was significantly higher in depressed than healthy participants at pre-treatment, positively correlated with negative affect and behavioral inhibition, and inversely correlated with lower behavioral activation sensitivity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Heightened alpha EEG asymmetry in depressed participants was significantly associated with increased behavioral inhibition and negative emotion and was independent of clinical remission.
authors.affiliation: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Asher Center for the Study and Treatment of Depressive Disorders, 676 North St. Clair Street, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. Electronic address: j-gollan@northwestern.edu.
authors.forename: Jackie K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Gollan
authors.affiliation: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Asher Center for the Study and Treatment of Depressive Disorders, 676 North St. Clair Street, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
authors.forename: Denada
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hoxha
authors.affiliation: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Asher Center for the Study and Treatment of Depressive Disorders, 676 North St. Clair Street, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
authors.forename: Dietta
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chihade
authors.affiliation: Source Signal Imaging, Inc., 7171 Alvarado, Suite 103, La Mesa, CA 91942-8998, USA.
authors.forename: Mark E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Pflieger
authors.affiliation: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Asher Center for the Study and Treatment of Depressive Disorders, 676 North St. Clair Street, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
authors.forename: Laina
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rosebrock
authors.affiliation: The University of Chicago, Center for Social Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, 5848 South University Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cacioppo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000513:Alpha Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003863:Depression / Q000473:pathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Alpha EEG asymmetry; Approach-related motivation; Avoidance; Behavioral Activation treatment; Major depression; Withdrawal-related motivation