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Hemispheric asymmetry in depression and mania. A longitudinal QEEG study in bipolar disorder
R J Koek1, B I Yerevanian, K H Tachiki
1Psychiatry Service, Sepulveda VA Medical Center, CA 91343, USA. rkoekmd@pol.net
Background:
previous research has been inconclusive about the nature of hemispheric asymmetry in emotional processing.
Method:
13 patients with DSM-IV bipolar disorder received repeated QEEGs over 2 years in different mood states. Z-score measures of asymmetry were assessed.
Results:
asymmetry in frontotemporal slow-wave activity appeared to be in opposite directions in depression compared to mania/hypomania.
Conclusions:
mood change in bipolar disorder is associated with change in QEEG asymmetry.
Limitations:
study of larger numbers of more homogenous patients under similar conditions is needed.
Clinical Relevance:
study of mood state-dependent asymmetry changes in bipolar disorder may lead to better understanding of hemispheric processing of emotion.