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Frontal alpha EEG asymmetry before and after behavioral activation treatment for depression
Jackie K Gollan1, Denada Hoxha1, Dietta Chihade1
1Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Asher Center for the Study and Treatment of Depressive Disorders, 676 North St. Clair Street, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
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.
