Depression Research - EEG and Neurofeedback studies

Depression often runs in families, suggesting that the condition can be inherited . When a genetic predisposition is topped with stresses at home, work, or school, it can evolve in full-blown depression. Stress from a serious loss, difficult relationship, financial problem, or any change in life style can result in an episode. People with low self-esteem, who consistently view themselves and the world with pessimism, are especially prone to depression. Depression can also strike suddenly, as a result of disease or illness such as stroke, heart attack, cancer, or prolonged illness. Environmental factors can also bring on depression, such as a loss of work, changes at home, or negative events affecting family members.

Famously depressed: Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, Kurt Cobain, Jim Carrey, Sylvia Plath, JK Rowling, Princess Diana, John Lennon, Mark Twain, David Foster Wallace

  1. A Review of EEG Biofeedback Treatment of Anxiety Disorders by Moore NC
    Alpha, theta and alpha-theta enhancements are effective treatments of the anxiety disorders. Alpha suppression is also effective, but less so.

  2. Upregulation of emotion areas through neurofeedback with a focus on positive mood. Johnston S, Linden DE, Healy D, Goebel R, Habes I, Boehm SG. Cognitive, affective, & behavioral neuroscience. 2010 Nov 25.

  3. Is alpha wave neurofeedback effective with randomized clinical trials in depression? A pilot study. Choi SW, Chi SE, Chung SY, Kim JW, Ahn CY, Kim HT. Neuropsychobiology. 2011;63(1):43-51.

  4. Taking care of one's brain: how manipulating the brain changes people's selves. Brenninkmeijer J. History of the human sciences. 2010;23(1):107-26.

  5. Karavidas et al. (2007) used Heart Rate Variability (HRV) to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in 11 participants for 10 weeks. Significant improvements were noted in the Hamilton Depression Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) by session four. Clinically and statistically significant improvement in depression persisted for the duration of the study.

  6. Brain imaging and psychotherapy: methodological considerations and practical implications. Linden DE. European archives of psychiatry and clinical neuroscience. 2008 Nov;258 Suppl 5:71-5. Review.

  7. Bio-electric approaches for youths; treating post-stroke depression. Behavioral healthcare tomorrow. 2005 Apr;14(2):10.

  8. Auditory brainwave stimulation in treating alcoholic depression. Waldkoetter RO, Sanders GO. Perceptual and motor skills">Percept Mot Skills. 1997 Feb;84(1):226.

  9. Treatment of a depressive disorder patient with EEG-driven photic stimulation. Kumano H, Horie H, Shidara T, Kuboki T, Suematsu H, Yasushi M. Biofeedback and self-regulation. 1996 Dec;21(4):323-34.

  10. Alpha-theta brainwave neurofeedback training: an effective treatment for male and female alcoholics with depressive symptoms. Saxby E, Peniston EG. Journal of clinical psychology. 1995 Sep;51(5):685-93.

  11. Self-regulation of slow cortical potentials in psychiatric patients: depression. Schneider F, Heimann H, Mattes R, Lutzenberger W, Birbaumer N. Biofeedback and self-regulation. 1992 Sep;17(3):203-14.

  12. Patterns of feedback EEG response and control in depressed patient. Danesino A, McLaughlin T, Burke W, Schneck P. Psychophysiology. 1982 Jan;19(1):71-4.

  13. Alpha-Theta Brainwave Neurofeedback Training: An Effective Treatment for Male and Female Alcoholics with Depressive Symptoms by Saxby E and Peniston EG. After temperature biofeedback pretraining, 14 subjects completed 20 40-minute sessions of alpha-theta brainwave neurofeedback training, which resulted in reductions in self-assessed depression (BDI scores).

  14. Operant (biofeedback) Control of Left-Right Frontal Alpha Power Differences: Potential Neurotherapy for Affective Disorders by Rosenfeld JP, Cha G, Blair T, Gotlib IH

  15. Self-regulation of Slow Cortical Potentials in Psychiatric Patients: Schizophrenia by Schneider F, Rockstroh B, Heimann H, Lutzenberger W, Mattes R, Elbert T, Birbaumer N, Bartels M.

  16. Clinical Use of an Alpha Asymmetry Neurofeedback Protocol in the Treatment of Mood Disorders: Follow-Up Study One to Five Years Post-Therapy by Baehr E, Rosenfeld JP, Baehr R.

  17. Frontal Interhemispheric Asymmetry: Self Regulation and Individual Differences in Humans by Hardman E, Gruzelier J, Cheesman K, Jones C, Liddiard D, Schleichert H, Birbaumer N