Resting Frontal EEG Asymmetry as an Endophenotype for Depression Risk: Sex-specific Patterns of Frontal Brain Asymmetry

摘要

Resting frontal electroencephalographic (EEG) asymmetry has been hypothesized as a marker of risk for major depressive disorder (MDD) but the extant literature is based predominately on female samples. Resting frontal asymmetry was assessed on 4 occasions within a two-week period in 306 individuals age 18-34 (31% male) with (n = 143) and without (n = 163) DSM-IV defined lifetime MDD. Lifetime MDD was linked to relatively less left frontal activity for both sexes using a current source density (CSD) reference, findings that were not accounted for solely by current MDD status or current depression severity, suggesting that CSD-referenced EEG asymmetry is a possible endophenotype for depression. In contrast, results for average and linked mastoid references were less consistent, but demonstrated a link between less left frontal activity and current depression severity in women.