title: Electroencephalogram alpha asymmetry in geriatric depression : Valid or vanished?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A correlation between asymmetry in electroencephalographs (EEG) and depression has been demonstrated in many studies. To the best of our knowledge there are no studies including oldest old geriatric patients.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to evaluate whether frontal and parietal alpha asymmetry can be used to differentiate between depressed and control patients in a cohort sample with a mean age of 80 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Differences in the EEG were investigated in 39 right-handed female geriatric patients (mean age 80 years) with respect to frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA) and parietal alpha asymmetry (PAA) in depression (n = 14), depression combined with anxiety (n = 11) and normal controls (n = 14) as assessed with the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS). Band power was calculated for alpha 1 (6.9-8.9 Hz), alpha 2 (8.9-10.9 Hz) and alpha 3 bands (10.9-12.9 Hz). Furthermore, correlations between frontal and parietal alpha asymmetry and the geriatric depression scale (GDS), the HADS and the mini mental state examination (MMSE) were calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A differentiation between the three groups was not possible with FAA and PAA. Significant correlations were found between PAA alpha 3 band and anxiety and depression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The alpha asymmetry in EEG seemed to disappear with age. Correlations between PAA and anxiety and depression were found. The results are in line with the right (hemisphere) hemi-aging hypothesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatric Medicine, Salzburger Landeskliniken Betriebs GesmbH, Christian-Doppler-Klinik, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Ignaz-Harrer-Straße 79, 5020, Salzburg, Österreich. a.kaiser@salk.at.|Department of Clinical Psychology, Salzburger Landeskliniken Betriebs GesmbH, Christian-Doppler-Klinik, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Österreich. a.kaiser@salk.at.
authors.forename: Andreas K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Kaiser
authors.affiliation: Department for Sport Sciences, University of Mainz, Mainz, Deutschland.|Center for Neurocognitive Research, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Österreich.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Doppelmayr
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatric Medicine, Salzburger Landeskliniken Betriebs GesmbH, Christian-Doppler-Klinik, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Ignaz-Harrer-Straße 79, 5020, Salzburg, Österreich.
authors.forename: Bernhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Iglseder
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000513:Alpha Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D000078331:Correlation of Data; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004292:Dominance, Cerebral / Q000502:physiology*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D010296:Parietal Lobe / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012016:Reference Values; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Aging; Anxiety; Depression; Electroencephalogram; Gerontology