Am J Psychiatry 1991; 148:961-964
Copyright © 1991 by American Psychiatric Association
Quantitative electroencephalography: a report on the present state of computerized EEG techniques. American Psychiatric Association Task Force on Quantitative Electrophysiological Assessment
The American Psychiatric Association established the Task Force on
Quantitative Electrophysiological Assessment in May 1989 to consider
several questions of interest to psychiatrists. From the inception of
techniques for quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG), the possibility
was raised that it would substantially assist in the diagnosis of brain
disorders. However, controversy exists over the scientific basis for such
approaches and the training necessary for interpretation of computerized
records. The task force's charge was to report 1) the present state of
scientific knowledge about qEEG, 2) the role of qEEG in clinical
psychiatric practice at the present time, 3) the training necessary for the
use of qEEG techniques, and 4) the possible future of the technique in the
study of mental disorders. The task force concluded that qEEG is
particularly useful for the detection of abnormalities in slow waves, which
are a feature of delirium, dementia, intoxication, and other syndromes
involving gross CNS dysfunction. The ability of qEEG to help in the
diagnosis of other disorders, such as schizophrenia or depression, is not
yet established. Clinical replications and sharing of normative and patient
data bases are necessary for the advancement of this field. Proper use of
this technique requires extensive training in a center experienced in its
use. Standards for training and for using the technology in psychiatry are
urgently needed. This report was approved by the Board of Trustees in
December 1990.
