Topographical brain mapping in depression following mild closed head injury: A case study

Abstract

Previous research (Henriques & Davidson, 1991; Kano, Nakamura, Iida & Nakajima, 1992) supports an association between major depression, reduced beta activity, and heightened alpha activity over the left frontal region relative to the right. A case study of a patient suffering from major depression subsequent to a mild closed head injury tested these hypotheses. A neuropsychological examination of the patient revealed deficits in performance on tasks most sensitive to left frontal functioning. Data obtained using topographical brain mapping showed that the patient had decreased beta and heightened alpha activity over the left frontal region relative to the right, supporting our hypotheses. The use of topographical brain mapping on patients suffering from major depression or mild closed head injury may augment the validity of more traditional neuropsychological assessment techniques.