Review Article

A Review on the Computational Methods for Emotional State Estimation from the Human EEG

Table 1

EEG correlates of emotion.

AuthorsYear#subjectsStimulus
(duration)
#EEG
channels
Channel locationEmotional stateEEG featuresEffects

Davidson et al. [48] 199037Emotional film clips (60 sec)8F3, F4, C3, C4, T3, T4, P3, and P4Happiness, disgustAlpha powerLeft-frontal: happiness < disgust
Right-frontal: happiness > disgust
Left-anterior temporal: happiness < disgust
Right-anterior temporal: happiness > disgust

Aftanas et al. [54]200122IAPS (7 sec)128ISValence (+/−)Theta power (ERD/ERS)Anterior temporal region
(left-hemisphere)
Negative: left < right
Positive: left > right
Parietotemporal region
Negative: left < right
Positive: left < right

Keil et al. [51]200110IAPS (1 sec)128ISArousalGamma powerGamma power (46–65 Hz, 500 ms): arousing ↑

Kemp et al. [104]200216IAPS (13 Hz)64ISValence (+/−)SSVEP amplitudeNegative: SSVEP at the bilateral anterior frontal area

Pollatos et al. [105]200544IAPS (6 sec)61ISArousalERP/ECGGood heartbeat perceivers show higher P300 peak

Balconi and Lucchiari [18]200620Ekman’s picture set (500 ms)14Fz, Cz, Pz, Oz, F3, F4, C3, C4, T3, T4, P3, P4, O1, and O2Neutral versus emotions (happy, sad, angry, and, fearful)ERD (alpha, beta, delta, and theta)ERD% of theta (150–250 ms) at the anterior regions
Emotional state > neutral state

Baumgartner et al. [106]200624IAPS + music (16 pictures/4.375 s)16F7, F3, FT7, FC3, F4, F8, FC4, FT8, TP7, CP3, P7, P3, CP4, TP8, P4, and P8Happiness, sadness, and fearAlpha powerCombining music with pictures evokes more intensive emotional experience

Sammler et al. [55]200718Music (22–44 sec)63ISValence (+/−)Theta powerFrontal midline theta power is increased by positive emotion

Balconi and Mazza [47]200919Ekman’s picture set (30 ms, 200 ms)32ISAnger, fear, surprise, disgust, and happinessAlpha power (ERD)Right-frontal activity increase for negative emotions

Li and Lu [107]200910Picture (6 sec)62ISHappiness, sadnessGamma ERDGamma ERD for emotional stimuli

Petrantonakis and Hadjileontiadis [70]201016Ekman’s picture set3Fp1, Fp2, and F3/F4 (bipolar)Happiness, sadness, surprise, anger, fear, and disgustAlpha and beta powerHigher-order crossing index improves performance

Lithari et al. [108]201028IAPS (2 sec)19ISArousalERP
(N100, N200)
ERP peaks increase for unpleasant stimuli in female

Petrantonakis [69]201116IAPS (5 sec)8F3, F4, C3, C4, T3, T4, P3, P4Arousal/valenceAlpha and beta powerAsymmetry index can detect arousal levels

Park et al. [109]201134Video: comic, horror, sadness, and peaceful (10 min)32ISFear, sadness, peace, and happiness Alpha, beta, and gammaFear emotion: beta wave ↑ at the left temporal lobe
happy emotion: alpha wave at the C4
peaceful state: gamma wave ↑ at the T5,
alpha wave at the CP5
Sadness emotion: alpha wave at the left temporal lobe

Degabriele et al. [110]201118Emotional go/no-go inhibition task (300 ms)24ISHappiness, sadnessERP (P100 and N170)P100 amplitude: happiness > sadness
N170 amplitude: bipolar disorder is less at all emotional state than normal subjects