Psychiatry Investig.  2013 Jun;10(2):143-147.

Can the Loudness Dependence of Auditory Evoked Potentials and Suicidality Be Used to Differentiate between Depressive Patients with and without Bipolarity

• Park YM
• Lee SH

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to test the hypothesis that the loudness dependence of auditory evoked potentials (LDAEP) can be used to predict the presence of bipolarity in patients with major depressive episodes.
METHODS
A cohort of 61 patients who met the criteria for major depressive disorder (MDD) following diagnosis using Axis I of the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-text revision, and who had no history of hypomanic or manic episodes was included in this study. The patients were stratified into two subgroups based on whether or not they achieved a positive score for the Korean versions of the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (K-MDQ). The LDAEP was evaluated by measuring the auditory event-related potentials before beginning medication with serotonergic agents.
RESULTS
The Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS) score was also higher for the positive screening group (81.24+/-11.87) than for the negative screening group (73.30+/-14.92; p=0.039, independent t-test). However, the LDAEP, Beck Depression Inventory, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), and Hamilton Anxiety Scale scores did not differ significantly between them. When binary logistic regression analysis was carried, the relationship between the positive or negative subgroups for K-MDQ and BIS or Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation (BSS) score was also significant (respectively, p=0.017, p=0.038).
CONCLUSION
We found that LDAEP was not significantly different between depressive patients with and without bipolarity. However, our study has revealed the difference between two subgroups based on whether or not they achieved a positive score for the K-MDQ in BIS or BSS score.

Keyword

LDAEP; Major depressive disorder; Bipolarity; Bipolar spectrum disorder

MeSH Terms

Anxiety
Axis, Cervical Vertebra
Cohort Studies
Depression
Depressive Disorder, Major
Evoked Potentials
Evoked Potentials, Auditory
Humans
Logistic Models
Mass Screening
Mood Disorders
Surveys and Questionnaires
Suicidal Ideation