[Neuropsychophysiological correlates of reactive depression]

With the aim of justifying of neurophysiological correlates of depressive disorders spectral parameters of EEG, and peak latencies of the "late" components of auditory cognitive evoked potentials, and latencies of sensorimotor reactions have been analysed in middle age and elderly patients (age 53-72) during the therapy of prolonged psychogenuously provoked depressive reaction (F43.21 by ICD-10). Background depression severity has been associated with the EEG signs of decreased functional state of anterior areas of the left hemisphere, and of increased activation of the right hemisphere (especially, of its temporal regions). Pronounced improvement of clinical condition resulted from psychopharmacotherapy led to acceleration ofsensorimotor reactions, and to decrease of peak latencies of the "late" components (P2, N2 P3) of auditory cognitive evoked potentials, that have been associated with the EEG signs of improvement of functional state of posterior brain areas, of facilitation of inhibitory processes in the right hemisphere (especially, in its frontal, central and temporal regions), and of more pronounced activation of frontal areas of the left hemisphere. The data obtained are in good concordance with the views on systemic character of impairments of brain functioning in depression, as well as on preferential role of the left hemisphere in control of positive emotions, and of the right hemisphere role in control of negative emotions.