A Physiological Marker for Assessing Anxiety Level in Humans: Frontal Midline Theta Activity

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Abstract
The distinct theta rhythm in the frontal midline area during performance of mental tasks has been designated as Fm.theta.. Sixteen male university students who failed to show any appearance of Fm.theta. in 3 consecutive days were given diazepam 5 mg, amobarbital 80 mg, methylphenidate 15 mg and placebo, in a double-blind, crossover design. Scores were made on the state anxiety scale of STAI; EEGs were recorded before and during performance of an arithmetic addition. The test was repeated twice: before and one hr after drug administration. Fm.theta. appeared following the drug administration even in those who had never shown the appearance of Fm.theta., and the appearance time of Fm.theta. increased in the following order: diazepam > amobarbital > placebo > methylphenidate. The scores of STAI decreased in the same order. The speed of performed tasks was increased by methylphenidate and placebo, but decreased by amobarbital and diazepam. These results suggest that relief from anxiety might be reflected in the apeearance of Fm.theta. and that Fm.theta. might be a useful tool to measure the anxiety level in humans.

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