Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the frequency of abnormal EEG findings in first episode mania and to compare cases with and without abnormal EEG findings with regard to their clinical characteristics of bipolar disorder.
Method: In the present study, among the admissions to our outpatient clinic or emergency service within the last year 69 consecutive first attack mania cases, between the ages of 18-65, who were diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder Manic Episode according to the DSM-IV criteria and whose informed consent form was signed by first degree relatives were evaluated. Inclusion criteria were absence of any previous depressive episode neurologic disorder, history of head trauma and/or loss of consciousness and not any drug use at the enrollment which can influence electroencephalographic activity EEG (antiepileptic, anxiolytic, antidepressant and antipsychotics). Records of 50 patients who also did not met exclusion criteria have been evaluated. Diagnostic interviews were made by using SCID-I (DSM-IV Structured Clinical Interview). Information about then disease itself was recorded on SKIP-TURK (Mood Disorder Diagnosis and Following Form) and the severity of manic symptoms was determined by using YMRS (Young Mania Rating Scale). Childhood trauma was determined by using ETI (Early Trauma Inventory). EEG recordings were made with digital EEG device in 16 channels and 23 surface electrodes were placed according to international 10-20 system.
Results: Epileptic EEG was found in 2 (4%) and nonepileptic abnormal EEG was found in 10 (20.8%) patients with first episode mania. Abnormal EEG in first episode mania was more frequent in females (p= 0.012). Childhood trauma, childhood history of psychiatric disorder, comorbid pshysical disease, history of suicide attempt and familiy history in first degree relatives were found to be more frequent in the group with EEG abnormality (p=0.016, 0.012, 0.001, 0.005 and 0.032). Childhood trauma was found to be a predictor of EEG abnormality in first episode mania cases as determined by regression analysis (p=0.004).
Conclusion: In some bipolar cases, abnormal EEG is present from the onset of disease and is associated with clinical characteristics.
Key words: EEG, first episode, mania
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