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 comorbidities of major depressive disorder (MDD) and anxiety disorder (AN), these two disorders must be distinguished. Accurate identification and diagnosis facilitate effective and prompt treatment. EEG biomarkers are a potential research hotspot for neuropsychiatric diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in EEG power spectrum at theta oscillations between patients with MDD and patients with AN.

Methods

Spectral analysis was used to study 66 patients with MDD and 43 patients with AN. Participants wore 16-lead EEG caps to measure resting EEG signals. The EEG power spectrum was measured using the fast Fourier transform. Independent samples t-test was used to analyze the EEG power values of the two groups, and p < 0.05 was statistically significant.

Results

EEG power spectrum of the MDD group significantly differed from the AN group in the theta oscillation on 4–7 Hz at eight electrode points at F3, O2, T3, P3, P4, FP1, FP2, and F8.

Conclusion

Participants with anxiety demonstrated reduced power in the prefrontal cortex, left temporal lobe, and right occipital regions. Confirmed by further studies, theta oscillations could be another biomarker that distinguishes MDD from AN.