EEG activation in 1-month-old infants of depressed mothers

Dev Psychopathol. 1997 Summer;9(3):491-505. doi: 10.1017/s0954579497001260.

Abstract

Previous research has documented differences in the pattern of EEG activation between 3-month-old infants of depressed mothers and infants of nondepressed mothers. In the present study, EEG was recorded in even younger 1-month-old infants of depressed and nondepressed mothers. The infants of depressed mothers exhibited greater relative right frontal EEG asymmetry (due to reduced left frontal activation), and this pattern at 1 month was significantly related to 3-month EEG asymmetry. Right frontal EEG asymmetry was also related to more frequent negative facial expressions (sad and pre-cry faces) during the Brazelton exam. Finally, the infants of depressed mothers showed more indeterminate sleep, were less active, and cried less than infants of nondepressed mothers.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Depressive Disorder / psychology*
  • Electroencephalography*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Frontal Lobe / physiology
  • Functional Laterality
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Mothers / psychology*
  • Parietal Lobe / physiology
  • Sleep, REM