Changes of error-related brain activity in generalized anxiety disorder patients

Abstract

Objective To explore the traits of error-related negativity (ERN) in generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) patients. Methods Thirty GAD patients and thirty normal controls were enrolled in this study. Use the Hamilton Anxiety Scale and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory to assess the severity of symptoms. Error-related negativity was elicited by the modified Eriksen Flanker task, recorded by Brain Products' EEG/ERP recording system,and the EEG signals were analyzed off line by Brain Analyzer software. Results There were no significant differences between two groups at age, gender composition, handedness and education (P ＞ 0.05 ), the scores of HAMA, SAI and TAI were significantly higher in GAD group than NC group( t = 8.225, P ＜ 0.001; t = 4.093, P ＜0.001; t = 6.742, P ＜ 0.001 ) ,there were no significant difference in behavioral reactions between two groups (P ＞0.05) except for non-response rate(GAD:(15.29 ± 18.18)% ,NC:(7.23 ±7.99)%; t=2.184, P=0.035).The ERN amplitudes of GAD group were larger than these of NC group( FCz: GAD: ( -8.76 ±5.74) μV,NC:( -6.91 ± 3.07 )μV, F = 6.924, P = 0.012), yet the ERN latency did not show any significant group difference.There were no significant correlations between HAMA scores and ERN amplitudes/latencies. Conclusion The increased amplitudes of ERN possibly reflect the abnormally activated internal error monitoring process in GAD patients. Key words: Generalized anxiety disorder; Event-related negativity; Error-related negativity