Quantitative Electroencephalogram Abnormalities in Methamphetamine Dependence in Forensic Evaluation: Case Control Study

Korean J Leg Med 2017;41:122-136

1. Department of Psychiatry, The National Forensic Psychiatric Hospital, Gongju, Korea,

2. Department of Social Welfare, The National Forensic Psychiatric Hospital, Gongju, Korea,

3. Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon, Korea,

4. Department of Psychiatry, The Anjung Paik Hospital, Pyeongtaek, Korea

E-mail: mysy33@hanmail.net

In this study, we analyzed the quantitative electroencephalograms (EEGs) of forty-eight subjects (18 with methamphetamine dependence and 30 non-methamphetamine users as controls). Immediately following data collection, all personally identifying information was replaced with random numbers to prevent bias and protect privacy. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20.0 for MS Windows. To investigate the general characteristics of the demographic background of the study subjects, frequency and technical analyses were conducted. Mann-Whitney U tests were performed to determine the difference in quantitative EEGs between methamphetamine users and non-methamphetamine users. Methamphetamine users demonstrated quantitative EEG abnormalities that were consistent with generalized encephalopathy.

Key Words:  Methamphetamine; Addiction; Forensic medicine; Quantitative electroencephalograms