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Resting and task‐elicited prefrontal EEG alpha asymmetry in depression: Support for the capability model
Author(s) -
Stewart Jennifer L.,
Coan James A.,
Towers David N.,
Allen John J. B.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
psychophysiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.661
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1469-8986
pISSN - 0048-5772
DOI - 10.1111/psyp.12191
Subject(s) - electroencephalography , psychology , major depressive disorder , asymmetry , audiology , psychopathology , alpha (finance) , facial expression , prefrontal cortex , developmental psychology , cognitive psychology , neuroscience , clinical psychology , cognition , psychometrics , communication , medicine , construct validity , physics , quantum mechanics
The capability model of frontal electroencephalographic ( EEG ) asymmetry suggests that brain activity during emotional challenge will be a more powerful indicator of predispositions toward psychopathology than activity observed at rest. EEG data were assessed during a resting baseline and a facial emotion task, wherein individuals with ( n = 143) and without ( n = 163) lifetime major depressive disorder ( MDD ) made approach (angry and happy) and withdrawal (afraid and sad) facial expressions. EEG asymmetry during emotional challenge was a more powerful indicator of MDD status than resting asymmetry for average, C z, and linked mastoid references, results in support of the capability model. However, current‐source‐density ( CSD ) transformed asymmetry was indicative of lifetime MDD status under resting and task‐elicited conditions. Findings suggest that CSD ‐transformed data may be more robust indicators of trait frontal EEG asymmetry.