Background

The clinical manifestations of late-life depression (LLD) are highly heterogeneous. Currently, abnormal characteristics of resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) power and functional connectivity are considered trait markers of depressive symptoms in major depression. However, the relationship between EEG spectral features and functional connectivity in LLD remains unknown.

Methods

Forty-one patients with LLD and 44 participants without depression underwent an eyes-closed resting-state EEG. EEG power spectra, alpha asymmetry, and functional connectivity were calculated and analyzed.

Results

Although alpha frontal asymmetry and cortical functional connectivity between the two groups showed no significant differences, the LLD group exhibited abnormal neural oscillation patterns of higher beta frequency activity in the parietal, central, and occipital lobes while alpha activity was increased in the parietal central electrodes.

Limitations

The number of EEG electrodes used in this study was low, and the sample size was limited.

Conclusions

Increased alpha and beta frequency band powers were observed in patients with LLD. These abnormal patterns may be associated with a disturbed balance of cortical excitation, inhibition, and hyperactivity. In the future, a neurofeedback protocol based on the findings of neural oscillation patterns in certain types of LLD should be explored.

中文翻译：

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晚年抑郁症神经振荡和功能连接模式的静息态脑电图

背景

晚年抑郁症（LLD）的临床表现高度异质。目前，静息态脑电图（EEG）功率和功能连接的异常特征被认为是重度抑郁症抑郁症状的特征标志。然而，脑电图谱特征与 LLD 中功能连接性之间的关系仍然未知。

方法

41 名 LLD 患者和 44 名没有抑郁症的参与者接受了闭眼静息状态脑电图检查。计算和分析 EEG 功率谱、α 不对称性和功能连接性。

结果

尽管两组之间的 α 额叶不对称性和皮质功能连接没有显着差异，但 LLD 组在顶叶、中央和枕叶表现出异常的神经振荡模式，即顶叶、中央和枕叶的 α 频率活动较高，而顶叶中央电极的 α 活动增加。

限制

本研究中使用的脑电图电极数量较少，样本量有限。

结论

在 LLD 患者中观察到增加的 alpha 和 beta 频带功率。这些异常模式可能与皮质兴奋、抑制和多动的平衡紊乱有关。将来，应该探索基于某些类型的 LLD 中神经振荡模式的发现的神经反馈协议。