Bipolar Disorder and Beta Frequency Band: Neurophysiological Impacts During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic posed significant challenges to mental health, particularly for individuals with bipolar disorder. This review study aimed to investigate the relationship between bipolar disorder and electroencephalographic activity in the beta frequency band (13–30 Hz), analyzing its role in attentional and sensorimotor integration processes. The literature indicates that beta activity is associated with alertness and cognitive functions, serving as a potential biomarker for diagnosis and clinical monitoring. During the pandemic, factors such as stress, social isolation, and circadian rhythm disruption intensified the symptoms of the disorder, which were reflected in beta band activity alterations. Furthermore, the methodological variability of the reviewed studies highlights the need for improved experimental paradigms and analytical techniques. These findings emphasize the importance of future research on neurophysiological activity in bipolar patients and therapeutic interventions targeting beta band modulation