Gamma oscillations predict treatment response to aripiprazole in bipolar disorder

Abstract

Objective: Treatment of Bipolar Disorder (BD) is a challenging issue. Aripiprazole monotherapy is a recommended option for the treatment of mania in BD. The electrophysiological markers of treatment response to aripiprazole could be potentially identified by quantitative Electroencephalography (qEEG). Methods: Twenty-four patients with BD were analysed retrospectively. Based on the percentage reduction in Young Mania Rating Scale, they were classified as responders (N = 14) and non-responders (N = 10) to aripiprazole monotherapy. Their resting-state qEEG recordings were examined. Spectral power across all frequency bands were calculated. Absolute powers for all frequency bands were compared between these groups. Results: Independent sample Mann-Whitney U test revealed that patients who did not respond to aripiprazole had greater gamma power than aripiprazole treatment responders. Conclusions: Based on the present findings, it can be proposed that excess in gamma power could be the electrophysiological biomarkers of unresponsiveness to aripiprazole treatment in BD.