Resting magnetoencephalography alterations in severe mental illnesses: A systematic review.
Neurosci Biobehav RevJul 18, 2026 (epub)
Clinical ResearchPsychiatry
Fernando Gonzales-Aste, Jessica Ahrens, Dominic Boutet et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review examined resting-state magnetoencephalography (MEG) findings in schizophrenia, major depressive disorder (MDD), and bipolar disorder. The analysis of 62 studies revealed that beta oscillations are a potential transdiagnostic signal, with increased power linked to hallucinations and cognitive deficits. The study highlights the need for more direct cross-diagnostic comparisons.
Key findings
- Increased beta oscillation power is reported across all three disorders, correlating with hallucinations and cognitive deficits.
- Neural complexity declines with age in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, contrary to healthy aging.
- Schizophrenia shows increased slow-wave activity, while mood disorders exhibit decreased slow-wave activity.
Why it matters
Understanding the neural mechanisms underlying severe mental illnesses can aid in developing targeted interventions and biomarkers for tracking disease progression and treatment response.