AUTHOR=Zhang Yu , Lei Lei , Liu Ziwei , Gao Mingxue , Liu Zhifen , Sun Ning , Yang Chunxia , Zhang Aixia , Wang Yikun , Zhang Kerang 

TITLE=Theta oscillations: A rhythm difference comparison between major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychiatry

VOLUME=Volume 13 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.827536

DOI=10.3389/fpsyt.2022.827536

ISSN=1664-0640

ABSTRACT=Background：Due to substantial comorbidity of major depressive disorder（MDD） and anxiety disorder (AN), two disorders must be distinguished. Accurate identification and diagnosis facilitate effective and prompt treatment. EEG biomarkers are a potential research hotspot for neuropsychiatric diseases. Studying theta asymmetry is yet incompletely understood. 
Methods: A total of 109 participants were separated into two groups, including MDD (n=66) and AN (n=43) groups. Two groups of EEG data were collected and compared using frequency domain analysis.
Results: EEG power spectrum of MDD group on F3, O2, T3, P3, P4, FP1, FP2 and F8 regions significantly differed from AN group in the theta power on 4-7Hz.
Conclusion: Participants with anxiety demonstrated reduced power in the prefrontal cortex, left temporal lobe, and right occipital regions. Confirmed by further studies, theta rhythm could be another biomarker that distinguishes MDD from AN.