Frontal EEG Asymmetry and Stress: Epigenetic Changes in the Prefrontal Cortex
Frontal Electroencephalogram (EEG) Asymmetry has become a rather accurate indicator
of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), as left frontal activity is associated with positive emotions
and right frontal activity is associated with negative emotions (Palmiero & Piccardi, 2017). It has
been found that less left frontal lobe activity is indicative, and even predictive of past depressive
episodes and risk of depression (Allen & Reznik, 2015). However, it is unclear whether frontal
EEG Asymmetry is predictive of future or near depressive episodes, or if the asymmetry is
merely a scar-effect from previous depressive episodes (Allen & Reznik, 2015). Frontal EEG
Asymmetry brings to mind the research on epigenetic differences in the frontal lobes of
depressed patients, resulting in stressful experiences in early life ( Kolb, Whishaw & Teskey,
2016).
