Neurophysiological features in women with antenatal depressive symptoms: a resting-state quantitative electroencephalography study

Background Antenatal depression, which is prevalent during pregnancy, frequently continues into the postpartum period. We aimed to investigate the potential neurophysiological brain changes in women exhibiting antenatal depressive symptoms, using resting-state quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) patterns as an objective indicator. Methods Pregnant women with high-risk conditions were included and evaluated for antenatal depressive symptoms using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), then divided into groups based on an EPDS score of 10. Resting-state qEEG recordings were then obtained to assess relative power topography within classical frequency bands, comparing these measures across the two groups and examining their correlation with EPDS scores. Results Among 36 participants, 12 scored ≥ 10 on the EPDS, indicative of significant depressive symptoms, while 24 scored < 10. Those with scores ≥ 10 exhibited heightened beta power in frontal areas (Fz and F4; p < 0.05), along with significant alpha and theta band asymmetry at the T3/T4 ( r = 0.383, p = 0.021) and P3/P4 ( r = 0.369, p = 0.027) sites respectively, positively correlating with EPDS scores. Limitations Depressive symptoms were solely evaluated according to the EPDS, which is a screening tool. Additional limitations include the cross-sectional study design and the relatively small sample size, necessitating cautious interpretation of the results. Conclusion The distinct qEEG patterns observed in women with EPDS scores ≥ 10 highlight the potential of qEEG as an objective indicator for assessing antenatal depression.