Andy’s Quick Hits (114): The Link Between Brain Wave Tremors and Mental Health Disorders

Now, what on earth is a brain wave tremor?!
Sounds weird and wonderful, eh! Well, we all know that we have brain waves, and these produce pretty consistent patterns to certain stimuli and have natural peaks and troughs.

Sure, go on…
Well, in this piece of research, by Gráinne McLoughlin et al. out of King’s College London, they noticed different patterns in people with certain disorders such as OCD and PTSD.

And what did they notice?
They noticed that in the prefrontal regions of the brain, often known as the brain’s executive centre, there was a different pattern in theta brainwaves after making a mistake in a task participants in the study had been asked to do.

And what are theta waves?
These are the second slowest in the range of brain waves but are increasingly seen as related to cognitive and behavioural control.

And…?
And this open up avenues for new methods of diagnosis — which may also be quicker and more accurate than clinical questionnaires. It may also guide to more effective treatment.