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Elevated left mid-frontal cortical activity prospectively predicts conversion to bipolar I disorder
Robin Nusslock1, Eddie Harmon-Jones2, Lauren B Alloy3
1Department of Psychology.
Journal of Abnormal Psychology
|July 11, 2012
Summary
Elevated left-frontal electroencephalographic (EEG) activity may predict bipolar I disorder conversion. This neurophysiological marker is linked to earlier onset and hypomanic states in bipolar disorder spectrum individuals.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Bipolar disorder involves hypersensitivity to reward cues and increased approach affect, potentially manifesting as hypo/manic symptoms.
- Relative left-frontal electroencephalographic (EEG) activity is a proposed neurophysiological index of approach system sensitivity and affect.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between relative left-frontal EEG activity and bipolar disorder course and state variables.
- To identify neurophysiological markers that predict conversion to bipolar I disorder.
Main Methods:
- Resting EEG recordings were obtained from 58 individuals with cyclothymia or bipolar II disorder and 59 healthy controls.
- Alpha power and asymmetry indices were computed. Participants were followed prospectively for an average of 4.7 years.
Main Results:
- Elevated relative left-frontal EEG activity prospectively predicted conversion from cyclothymia or bipolar II disorder to bipolar I disorder.
- Higher left-frontal EEG activity was associated with an earlier age of onset for bipolar spectrum episodes.
- Elevated left-frontal EEG activity was observed in bipolar spectrum individuals experiencing hypomanic episodes.
Conclusions:
- Relative left-frontal EEG activity serves as a potential neurophysiological marker for predicting conversion to bipolar I disorder.
- Distinct frontal EEG asymmetry profiles may differentiate unipolar depression from vulnerability to hypomania.
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