A Meta-analysis about EEG-Alpha-Asymmetries and Depression in Adults

Research about EEG-Asymmetries in infants,
adolescents and adults searched from the beginning
for a vulnerability marker of depression.
EEG-Alpha-Asymmetries in the frontal anterior regions
of the brain are a potential candidate for such a
vulnerability marker. But research results presented
till today are heterogenous and not consistent in
their findings. The present work tried to bring
evidence of a state-independent vulnerability marker
for depression reflected in activation asymmetries.
Studies examining electroencephalographic (EEG) alpha
activity in subclinical, clinical and remitted
depressives were analyzed in order to see whether
effect sizes can be found for the relationship
between activation asymmetries and depression and of
what magnitude they are.

Autorentext
The author studied psychology and educational science at the
University of Tuebingen, Germany. Studying and working in the US
(San Diego State University, San Diego, CA and Vanderbilt
University, Nashville, TN)broadened his psychological knowledge
and his personal mind. Currently the authors' work-focus lies on
process research in psychotherapy.

Klappentext
Research about EEG-Asymmetries in infants, adolescents and adults searched from the beginning for a vulnerability marker of depression. EEG-Alpha-Asymmetries in the frontal anterior regions of the brain are a potential candidate for such a vulnerability marker. But research results presented till today are heterogenous and not consistent in their findings. The present work tried to bring evidence of a state-independent vulnerability marker for depression reflected in activation asymmetries. Studies examining electroencephalographic (EEG) alpha activity in subclinical, clinical and remitted depressives were analyzed in order to see whether effect sizes can be found for the relationship between activation asymmetries and depression and of what magnitude they are.