The ability of peripheral neurophysiological biomarkers to predict future psychological conditions among geriatric populations

Objective

Though the association between peripheral neurophysiological biomarkers and psychological conditions is widely discussed, there is still limited evidence about the ability of peripheral biomarkers to predict psychological outcomes, especially among geriatric populations.

Methods

The study is designed as a prospective cohort study. We collected information from participants aged over 55 years. The participants were evaluated at the start of the study (T0) and 6–9 months later (T1). Information about demographic profiles, peripheral neurophysiological biomarker recordings (including heart rate variability, finger temperature, skin conductance, and electromyogram), and psychological measurements (including Brief Symptom Rating Scale-5, Chinese Happiness Inventory, and Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire) were collected at T0. At T1, participants reported self-rated questionnaires for psychological outcomes (Patient Health Questionnaire-15, health anxiety questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory-II, and Beck Anxiety Inventory) and were evaluated with Mini-Mental State Examination by the staff. The association between the peripheral biomarkers and psychological outcomes was evaluated via multiple regression models.

Results

A total of 385 participants were included in the study and the average age was 74.49 ± 7.34 years. Both stepwise multiple linear and logistic models showed a significant association between decreased skin conductance and increased/presence of depression at T1. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis of skin conductance for depression was fair (area under curve = 0.812).

Conclusions

The ability of skin conductance to predict depression among geriatric populations may facilitate the detection of geriatric depression and future research on the pathophysiology.