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A Physiological Marker for Assessing Anxiety Level in Humans: Frontal Midline Theta Activity
Author(s) -
Mizuki Yasushi,
Suetsugi Masatomo,
Imai Tsuyoshi,
Kai Shusaku,
Kajimura Naofumi,
Yamada Michio
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
psychiatry and clinical neurosciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.609
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1440-1819
pISSN - 1323-1316
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1819.1989.tb03096.x
Subject(s) - amobarbital , placebo , anxiety , diazepam , psychology , methylphenidate , crossover study , audiology , anesthesia , frontal lobe , psychiatry , medicine , attention deficit hyperactivity disorder , epilepsy , alternative medicine , pathology
The distinct theta rhythm in the frontal midline area during performance of mental tasks has been designated as Fmθ. Sixteen male university students who failed to show any appearance of Fmθ in 3 consecutive days were given diazepam 5 mg, amobarbital 80 mg, methylphenidate 15 mg and placebo, in a double‐blind, crossover design. Scores were made on the state anxiety scale of STAI; EEGs were recorded before and during performance of an arithmetic addition. The test was repeated twice: before and one hr after drug administration. Fmθ appeared following the drug administration even in those who had never shown the appearance of Fmθ, and the appearance time of Fmθ increased in the following order: diazepam > amobarbital > placebo > methylphenidate. The scores of STAI decreased in the same order. The speed of performed tasks was increased by methylphenidate and placebo, but decreased by amobarbital and diazepam. These results suggest that relief from anxiety might be reflected in the appearance of Fmθ and that Fmθ might be a useful tool to measure the anxiety level in humans.