Neuronal generators of posterior EEG alpha reflect individual differences in prioritizing personal spirituality
Craig E. Tenke1,3, Jürgen Kayser1,3, Lisa Miller3,4, Virginia Warner2,5, Priya Wickramaratne2,3,5, Myrna M. Weissman2,3,5, Gerard E. Bruder1,3
1Division of Cognitive Neuroscience, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA; 2Division of Epidemiology, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA; 3Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA; 4Columbia University, Teachers College, New York, NY, USA; 5Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
Received 3 December 2012; revised 25 July 2013; accepted 5 August 2013; available online 30 August 2013.
Abstract
Prominent posterior EEG alpha is associated with depression and clinical response to antidepressants. Given that religious belief was protective against depression in a longitudinal study of familial risk, we hypothesized that individuals who differed by strength of spiritual beliefs might also differ in EEG alpha. Clinical evaluations and selfreports of the importance of religion or spirituality (R/S) were obtained from 52 participants, and again at 10-y followup when EEG was measured. EEG alpha was quantified using frequency PCA of current source densities (CSD-fPCA). Participants who rated R/S as highly important at initial assessment showed greater alpha compared to those who did not. Those who rated R/S important in both sessions showed greater alpha than those who changed their ratings. EEG differences were particularly well-defined for participants with lifetime depression. Findings extend the view of alpha as a marker for affective processes, suggesting an association with the ontogenesis of spirituality.
doi:10.1016/j.biopsycho.2013.08.001
Key Words: EEG alpha; depression risk; religion; spirituality; current source density