# Symptoms of depersonalisation/derealisation disorder as measured by brain electrical activity: A systematic review

**Authors:** Abbas Salami, Javier Andreu-Perez, Helge Gillmeister  
**arXiv:** [2111.06126](https://arxiv.org/abs/2111.06126)  
**Date:** 2021-11-11  
**Summary page:** https://www.summarizepaper.com/en/paper/2111.06126v1/

## Key points

- Depersonalisation/derealisation disorder (DPD) is a dissociative disorder affecting 1-2% of the population.
- It takes an average of 7-12 years to receive an accurate diagnosis for DPD due to lack of understanding and awareness.
- A systematic review by Abbas Salami, Javier Andreu-Perez, and Helge Gillmeister focused on exploring neural correlates of core DPD symptoms using electrophysiological techniques.
- The research covered publications from 1992 to 2020 and aimed to assess the diagnostic potential of EEG power spectrum, event-related potentials (ERPs), vestibular and heartbeat evoked potentials as potential biomarkers for studying DPD symptoms.
- Acute anxiety or trauma-induced disruptions in integrating interoceptive and exteroceptive signals play a significant role in the development of DPD symptoms.
- Further research utilizing analysis methods considering signal integration is needed to address diagnostic challenges associated with DPD.
- Tools for prospective studies focusing on electrophysiological biomarkers specific to DPD are suggested, emphasizing the urgent need to explore their diagnostic potential effectively.

## Summary

Depersonalisation/derealisation disorder (DPD) is a dissociative disorder that affects 1-2% of the population. However, it often takes an average of 7-12 years to receive an accurate diagnosis. This delay can be attributed to the lack of understanding and awareness surrounding DPD. To address this issue, a systematic review was conducted by Abbas Salami, Javier Andreu-Perez, and Helge Gillmeister. The focus was on exploring the neural correlates of core DPD symptoms using electrophysiological techniques. The research covered publications from 1992 to 2020 and aimed to assess the diagnostic potential of these neuroimaging tools. The review delved into various aspects of brain electrical activity related to DPD, including the EEG power spectrum, components of event-related potentials (ERPs), as well as vestibular and heartbeat evoked potentials. These were identified as potential electrophysiological biomarkers for studying DPD symptoms. The authors argued that acute anxiety or trauma-induced disruptions in integrating interoceptive and exteroceptive signals play a significant role in the development of DPD symptoms. They also highlighted the need for further research utilizing analysis methods that consider this integration of signals to address diagnostic challenges associated with DPD. In addition, they suggested tools for prospective studies focusing on electrophysiological biomarkers specific to DPD and emphasized the urgent need to fully explore their diagnostic potential. This comprehensive review provides valuable insights into understanding and potentially diagnosing depersonalisation/derealisation disorder more effectively in clinical settings.