Quantitative and qualitative electroencephalography in the diagnosis and monitoring of depression. A modern approach to clinical neurophysiology
ContextDepressive disorders are one of the greatest public health challenges, affecting more than 300 million people worldwide. Traditional diagnostic methods are based on subjective clinical assessments, which limits their accuracy and reproducibility. Therefore, there is an urgent need to implemen...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-08-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2025.1624434/full |
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| author | Marta Kopańska Marta Kopańska Danuta Ochojska Izabela Sarzyńska Oliwia Bartkowska Jacek Szczygielski Jacek Szczygielski Jacek Szczygielski |
| author_facet | Marta Kopańska Marta Kopańska Danuta Ochojska Izabela Sarzyńska Oliwia Bartkowska Jacek Szczygielski Jacek Szczygielski Jacek Szczygielski |
| author_sort | Marta Kopańska |
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| description | ContextDepressive disorders are one of the greatest public health challenges, affecting more than 300 million people worldwide. Traditional diagnostic methods are based on subjective clinical assessments, which limits their accuracy and reproducibility. Therefore, there is an urgent need to implement objective, easily accessible diagnostic tools. One such tool is quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG), which allows for the analysis of the bioelectrical activity of the brain in a non-invasive and precise manner.MethodsIn this narrative review, the latest research on the use of QEEG and traditional EEG in the assessment of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) was analyzed. The literature search was carried out in the PubMed and SpringerLink databases, focusing on articles investigating the correlations between spectral EEG properties (alpha, beta, theta, delta, gamma waves) and symptoms of depression.ResultsThe literature review indicates the presence of characteristic patterns of brain activity in patients with MDD, such as alpha wave asymmetry in the frontal areas, increased beta band activity, and changes in the theta and delta waves. This indicates the potential use of these parameters as biomarkers for early detection and monitoring of therapy effectiveness.ConclusionsQEEG and classical EEG may play an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of depression, supporting the development of personalized therapeutic strategies. Despite promising results, further research on the standardization of methods and validation of neurophysiological indicators is needed to enable their wider application in psychiatric clinical practice. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d7c97f5a116a4df3994aac85b7d2aba9 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1662-5161 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Human Neuroscience |
| spelling | doaj-art-d7c97f5a116a4df3994aac85b7d2aba92025-08-20T03:37:57ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Human Neuroscience1662-51612025-08-011910.3389/fnhum.2025.16244341624434Quantitative and qualitative electroencephalography in the diagnosis and monitoring of depression. A modern approach to clinical neurophysiologyMarta Kopańska0Marta Kopańska1Danuta Ochojska2Izabela Sarzyńska3Oliwia Bartkowska4Jacek Szczygielski5Jacek Szczygielski6Jacek Szczygielski7Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Psychology, Collegium Medicum, University of Rzeszów, Rzeszów, PolandLaboratory of Neurophysiology, Clinimetrics and Microsurgical Training, Centre for Innovative Research in Medical and Natural Sciences, Collegium Medicum, University of Rzeszów, Rzeszów, PolandFaculty of Health Sciences and Psychology, Collegium Medicum, University of Rzeszów, Rzeszów, PolandStudent Research Club “Reh-Tech”, Collegium Medicum, University of Rzeszów, Rzeszów, PolandStudent Research Club “Reh-Tech”, Collegium Medicum, University of Rzeszów, Rzeszów, PolandLaboratory of Neurophysiology, Clinimetrics and Microsurgical Training, Centre for Innovative Research in Medical and Natural Sciences, Collegium Medicum, University of Rzeszów, Rzeszów, PolandFaculty of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, Collegium Medicum, University of Rzeszów, Rzeszów, PolandFaculty of Medicine and Saarland University Medical Centre, Department of Neurosurgery, Saarland University, Homburg, GermanyContextDepressive disorders are one of the greatest public health challenges, affecting more than 300 million people worldwide. Traditional diagnostic methods are based on subjective clinical assessments, which limits their accuracy and reproducibility. Therefore, there is an urgent need to implement objective, easily accessible diagnostic tools. One such tool is quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG), which allows for the analysis of the bioelectrical activity of the brain in a non-invasive and precise manner.MethodsIn this narrative review, the latest research on the use of QEEG and traditional EEG in the assessment of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) was analyzed. The literature search was carried out in the PubMed and SpringerLink databases, focusing on articles investigating the correlations between spectral EEG properties (alpha, beta, theta, delta, gamma waves) and symptoms of depression.ResultsThe literature review indicates the presence of characteristic patterns of brain activity in patients with MDD, such as alpha wave asymmetry in the frontal areas, increased beta band activity, and changes in the theta and delta waves. This indicates the potential use of these parameters as biomarkers for early detection and monitoring of therapy effectiveness.ConclusionsQEEG and classical EEG may play an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of depression, supporting the development of personalized therapeutic strategies. Despite promising results, further research on the standardization of methods and validation of neurophysiological indicators is needed to enable their wider application in psychiatric clinical practice.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2025.1624434/fulldepressive disordersEEGQEEGneurophysiological biomarkersfrontal alpha asymmetrybrain wave activity |
| spellingShingle | Marta Kopańska Marta Kopańska Danuta Ochojska Izabela Sarzyńska Oliwia Bartkowska Jacek Szczygielski Jacek Szczygielski Jacek Szczygielski Quantitative and qualitative electroencephalography in the diagnosis and monitoring of depression. A modern approach to clinical neurophysiology Frontiers in Human Neuroscience depressive disorders EEG QEEG neurophysiological biomarkers frontal alpha asymmetry brain wave activity |
| title | Quantitative and qualitative electroencephalography in the diagnosis and monitoring of depression. A modern approach to clinical neurophysiology |
| title_full | Quantitative and qualitative electroencephalography in the diagnosis and monitoring of depression. A modern approach to clinical neurophysiology |
| title_fullStr | Quantitative and qualitative electroencephalography in the diagnosis and monitoring of depression. A modern approach to clinical neurophysiology |
| title_full_unstemmed | Quantitative and qualitative electroencephalography in the diagnosis and monitoring of depression. A modern approach to clinical neurophysiology |
| title_short | Quantitative and qualitative electroencephalography in the diagnosis and monitoring of depression. A modern approach to clinical neurophysiology |
| title_sort | quantitative and qualitative electroencephalography in the diagnosis and monitoring of depression a modern approach to clinical neurophysiology |
| topic | depressive disorders EEG QEEG neurophysiological biomarkers frontal alpha asymmetry brain wave activity |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2025.1624434/full |
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