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Electroencephalogram alpha asymmetry in geriatric depression

Valid or vanished?

Alpha-Asymmetrie im Elektroenzephalogramm bei geriatrischer Depression

Valide oder verschwunden?

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Abstract

Background

A correlation between asymmetry in electroencephalographs (EEG) and depression has been demonstrated in many studies. To the best of our knowledge there are no studies including oldest old geriatric patients.

Objective

The objective of this study was to evaluate whether frontal and parietal alpha asymmetry can be used to differentiate between depressed and control patients in a cohort sample with a mean age of 80 years.

Material and methods

Differences in the EEG were investigated in 39 right-handed female geriatric patients (mean age 80 years) with respect to frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA) and parietal alpha asymmetry (PAA) in depression (n = 14), depression combined with anxiety (n = 11) and normal controls (n = 14) as assessed with the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS). Band power was calculated for alpha 1 (6.9–8.9 Hz), alpha 2 (8.9–10.9 Hz) and alpha 3 bands (10.9–12.9 Hz). Furthermore, correlations between frontal and parietal alpha asymmetry and the geriatric depression scale (GDS), the HADS and the mini mental state examination (MMSE) were calculated.

Results

A differentiation between the three groups was not possible with FAA and PAA. Significant correlations were found between PAA alpha 3 band and anxiety and depression.

Conclusion

The alpha asymmetry in EEG seemed to disappear with age. Correlations between PAA and anxiety and depression were found. The results are in line with the right (hemisphere) hemi-aging hypothesis.

Zusammenfassung

Hintergrund

Eine Korrelation zwischen einer Asymmetrie im Elektroenzephalogramm (EEG) und Depression konnte in vielen Studien bestätigt werden. Unserem Wissen nach gibt es keine Studien mit hochbetagten geriatrischen Patienten.

Ziel

Ziel der Arbeit ist die Analyse frontaler und parietaler Alpha-Asymmetrie hinsichtlich der Unterscheidungsfähigkeit zwischen Depressiven und Kontrollpersonen in einer Stichprobe von über 80-jährigen Patienten.

Material und Methoden

EEG-Unterschiede wurden bei 39 rechtshändigen weiblichen geriatrischen Patienten (Durchschnittsalter: 80 Jahre) bezüglich frontaler Alpha-Asymmetrie (FAA) und parietaler Alpha-Asymmetrie (PAA) bei depressiven (n = 14), ängstlich-depressiven (n = 11), und Kontrollpersonen (n = 14) untersucht. Für die Erfassung ängstlicher und depressiver Symptome wurde die Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) verwendet. Der Leistungspegel wurde für Alpha 1 (6.9–8.9 Hz), Alpha 2 (8.9–10.9 Hz) und Alpha 3 (10.9–12.9 Hz) berechnet. Des Weiteren wurden Korrelationen zwischen frontaler und parietaler Alpha-Asymmetrie und Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) sowie Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) berechnet.

Ergebnisse

FAA und parietale Alpha Asymmetrie konnten nicht zwischen den drei Gruppen unterscheiden. Allerdings fanden wir eine Korrelation zwischen PAA Alpha 3 sowie Angst und Depression.

Diskussion

Die EEG Alpha Asymmetrie scheint mit dem Alter zu verschwinden. Korrelationen zwischen PAA und Angst und Depression konnten gefunden werden. Die Ergebnisse bestätigen die Hypothese zur rechts-hemispherischen Alterung (right hemi-aging hypothesis).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geriatric Medicine, Salzburger Landeskliniken Betriebs GesmbH, Christian-Doppler-Klinik, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Ignaz-Harrer-Straße 79, 5020, Salzburg, Österreich

    Andreas K. Kaiser & Bernhard Iglseder

  2. Department of Clinical Psychology, Salzburger Landeskliniken Betriebs GesmbH, Christian-Doppler-Klinik, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Österreich

    Andreas K. Kaiser

  3. Department for Sport Sciences, University of Mainz, Mainz, Deutschland

    Michael Doppelmayr

  4. Center for Neurocognitive Research, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Österreich

    Michael Doppelmayr

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  1. Andreas K. Kaiser
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Andreas K. Kaiser.

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Conflict of interests

A. K. Kaiser, M. Doppelmayr and B. Iglseder state that there are no conflicts of interest.

The study was approved be the local ethics committee. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants included in the study.

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Kaiser, A.K., Doppelmayr, M. & Iglseder, B. Electroencephalogram alpha asymmetry in geriatric depression. Z Gerontol Geriat 51, 200–205 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00391-016-1108-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00391-016-1108-z

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