| Title: |
The heterogeneity of Depression: Towards a better understanding of the biological basis (PhD Experiment 4: Go No / Go ERPs in MDD and healthy controls) |
| Research Area(s): |
Depression |
| Background: |
Rationale (Experiment 4): A better understanding of the impact of depression on response inhibition may provide further insight into the neurobiological basis of depression and associated impairment. |
| Aims: |
Aim of Experiment 4: To investigate the impact of depression on behavioural responding and the brain function associated with the response inhibition task.
Research Question/s:
• How does depression impact on brain function during a response inhibition task?
Hypotheses:
• It is expected that patients with depression will exhibit greater errors of omission, rather than comission in comparison to healthy controls.
• It is expected that patients with depression with exhibit greater peak amplitude at P200 in comparison to healthy controls.
• It is expected that patients with more severe depression will exhibit greater peak amplitude at P200 in comparison to patients with less severe depression and controls respectively.
• It is further expected that reduced P300 will also be observed in depressed patients reflecting impaired behavioural performance in these individuals.
|
| Method: |
Methodology: Various ANOVAs and Regression techniques will be conducted. For example, an ANOVA will be conducted using a between-group (MDD versus control) X within-subject design including, site (frontal, central, parietal) and hemisphere (left, right). Regression analyses will be conducted to predict the depression severity as the dependent variable. The impact of subtype, anxiety comorbidity and suicidality will also be examined. |