Quantitative Electroencephalography Analysis in Panic Disorder: Exploring the Neurophysiological Significance of High Beta Activity.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the neurophysiological characteristics of panic disorder (PD) by analyzing quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) data, with a particular focus on high beta activity.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, resting-state QEEG data from 58 patients with PD and 23 healthy controls (HC) were analyzed. Spectral power was calculated for delta (1-4 Hz), theta (4-8 Hz), alpha (8-12 Hz), beta (12-25 Hz), and high beta (25-30 Hz) bands across frontal, central, and posterior regions. Group differences were assessed using generalized estimating equations, and Pearson correlation analyses were conducted to examine associations between electroencephalography activity and clinical symptoms.

RESULTS

PD patients showed significantly higher high beta power across all regions compared to HC (frontal: estimate=1.276, χ²=12.48, p<0.0010; central: estimate=0.874, χ²=9.87, p=0.0017; posterior: estimate=0.524, χ²=4.48, p=0.0343). Beta power was elevated only in the frontal region (estimate=3.391, χ²=5.31, p=0.0212), while delta power was increased overall (χ²=4.60, p=0.0390) without regional specificity. No significant group differences were observed in alpha or theta bands. A significant positive correlation was found between frontal high beta power and Panic Disorder Severity Scale scores (r=0.41, p=0.010), while no other significant correlations were observed between regional high beta power and clinical scales.

CONCLUSION

Increased high beta, beta, and delta activity in PD may reflect a neurophysiological imbalance. In particular, elevated high beta power may indicate hyperarousal and excessive cognitive control in PD, suggesting its potential as a future biomarker.