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A Review of Recent Literature Employing Electroencephalographic Techniques to Study the Pathophysiology, Phenomenology, and Treatment Response of Schizophrenia

  • Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders (SJ Siegel, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Clinical experience and research findings suggest that schizophrenia is a disorder comprised of multiple genetic and neurophysiological subtypes with differential response to treatment. Electroencephalography (EEG) is a non-invasive, inexpensive and useful tool for investigating the neurobiology of schizophrenia and its subtypes. EEG studies elucidate the neurophysiological mechanisms potentially underlying clinical symptomatology. In this review article recent advances in applying EEG to study pathophysiology, phenomenology, and treatment response in schizophrenia are discussed. Investigative strategies employed include: analyzing quantitative EEG (QEEG) spectral power during the resting state and cognitive tasks; applying machine learning methods to identify QEEG indicators of diagnosis and treatment response; and using the event-related brain potential (ERP) technique to characterize the neurocognitive processes underlying clinical symptoms. Studies attempting to validate potential EEG biomarkers of schizophrenia and its symptoms, which could be useful in assessing familial risk and treatment response, are also reviewed.

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References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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Conflict of Interest

Gary Marcel Hasey is an unpaid board member of Digital Medical Experts, has patent applications dealing with machine learning analysis of EEG to establish diagnosis and determine treatment response of mental illnesses; and owns stock shares in Digital Medical Experts.

Michael Kiang declares that he has no conflict of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, St Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, McMaster University, 100 West 5th Street, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, L8N 3K7

    Gary Marcel Hasey & Michael Kiang

  2. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, School Of Biomedical Engineering, St Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, McMaster University, 100 West 5th Street, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, L8N 3K7

    Gary Marcel Hasey

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  1. Gary Marcel Hasey
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Correspondence to Gary Marcel Hasey.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders

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Hasey, G.M., Kiang, M. A Review of Recent Literature Employing Electroencephalographic Techniques to Study the Pathophysiology, Phenomenology, and Treatment Response of Schizophrenia. Curr Psychiatry Rep 15, 388 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-013-0388-x

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