Lithium-induced EEG changes in patients with affective disorders

In 12 patients with affective disorders (ICD-10: F31, F32, F33), EEGs were recorded before and after 4.4 months of lithium treatment. Effects of lithi um on the EEG were analyzed by power spectral analysis controlled for vigil ance. We found (1) an increase in relative power in both delta and theta ba nd which was related to the lithium plasma level, (2) a decrease in relativ e alpha power especially at occipital leads and (3) a reduction of the domi nant alpha frequency. The changes in relative power were more pronounced in the right hemisphere, which is in contrast to the hypothesis of a site-spe cific localization of lithium effects only in left anterior regions. Copyri ght (C) 2000 S. Karger AG,Basel.