The change of prefrontal QEEG theta cordance as a predictor of response to bupropion treatment in patients who had failed to respond to previous antidepressant treatments.

Unlabelled: The aim of the study was to examine whether the reduction of theta prefrontal quantitative EEG (QEEG) cordance after one week of bupropion administration is a predictor of response to a 4-week treatment in patients that had failed to respond to previous antidepressant treatments.

Method: EEG data of 18 inpatients were monitored at baseline and after one week. QEEG cordance was computed at 3 frontal electrodes (Fp1, Fp2, Fz). Response to treatment was defined as a >/=50% reduction of MADRS score.

Results: Nine of the eleven responders and one of the seven non-responders showed decreased prefrontal cordance value after the first week of treatment (p=0.01). Positive and negative predictive values of cordance reduction for the prediction of response to the treatment were 0.9 and 0.75, respectively.

Conclusion: Similar to other antidepressants, the reduction of prefrontal QEEG cordance might be helpful in the prediction of the acute outcome of bupropion treatment.