EEG Findings in Burnout Patients

• Published in: The journal of neuropsychiatry and clinical neurosciences Vol. 22; no. 2; pp. 208 - 217
• Main Authors: Luijtelaar, Gilles van, Verbraak, Marc, Bunt, Martijn van den, Keijsers, Ger, Arns, Martijn
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Arlington, VA American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc 01.04.2010; American Psychiatric Publishing
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Medical sciences; Nosology. Terminology. Diagnostic criteria; Occupational psychology; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Techniques and methods; Work condition. Job performance. Stress; Human; Central nervous system; Electrophysiology; Biological marker; Nosology; Electroencephalography; Differential diagnostic; Encephalon; Occupational burnout; Electrodiagnosis; Criterion; Classification; Diagnosis
• ISSN: 0895-0172; 1545-7222
• DOI: 10.1176/jnp.2010.22.2.208

The concept of burnout remains enigmatic since it is only determined by behavioral characteristics. Moreover, the differential diagnosis with depression and chronic fatigue syndrome is difficult. EEG-related variables in 13 patients diagnosed with burnout syndrome were compared with 13 healthy comparison subjects in order to explore the existence of neurobiological markers for burnout. Burnout patients showed reduced P300 amplitude, a lower alpha peak frequency and reduced beta power. These EEG-related differences in burnout patients differ from those described in the literature in depression and chronic fatigue patients. Our preliminary findings suggest that burnout might be considered as a separate clinical syndrome.