The Promise of the Quantitative Electroencephalogram as a Predictor of Antidepressant Treatment Outcomes in Major Depressive Disorder

Quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) has growing promise as an indicator of antidepressant treatment outcomes and as a tool that may become widespread in the clinical treatment of depression. Work across imaging modalities has shown that neurophysiologic function of the frontal brain region before treatment and early changes in frontal function after beginning antidepressant treatment are related to clinical outcomes later during treatment. Newer QEEG measurements are focusing on aspects of the electroencephalograph that are linked closely to cerebral perfusion and metabolism. QEEG biomarkers may become practical tools that can guide treatment for the individual patient.