Predictive power of abnormal electroencephalogram for post-cerebral infarction depression.

Electroencephalography is a sensitive indicator for measuring brain condition, and can reflect early changes in brain function and severity of cerebral ischemia. However, it is not yet known whether electroencephalography can predict development of post-cerebral infarction depression. A total of 321 patients with ischemic stroke underwent electroencephalography and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale assessment to analyze the relationship between electroencephalography and post-cerebral infarction depression. Our results show that electroencephalograms of ischemic stroke patients with depression exhibit low-amplitude alpha activity and slow theta activity. In contrast, electroencephalograms of ischemic stroke patients without depression show fast beta activity and slow delta activity. These findings confirm that low-amplitude alpha activity and slow theta activity can be considered as independent predictors for post-cerebral infarction depression.