The PEER Testing Process

The PEER process starts with having an EEG, which

measures the electrical activity generated by the
brain. Electrodes are placed on your head to Building Better Evidence for Mental Health Care
record this activity, much like an EKG does for
your heart. You will be asked to close your eyes,
but must stay awake and minimize your muscle
movements for 20 minutes. The EEG is a
completely safe procedure that has been in use by
physicians since the 1920’s.

Does it hurt?
No. There is no sensation of any kind

Will my head be shaved?

PEER Military
No

How long will it take?

Depression Study
Approximately 45 minutes

Should I do anything special before the test? Get

a good night’s sleep the evening before. On the
morning of the test, wash your hair thoroughly. How are your medications
Do not use cream rinse or conditioner, hair spray,
mousse, etc. These products will make the scalp selected?
slick and the electrodes will not stick. Dry your
hair completely and do not braid it.
• No coffee or tea for 15 hours prior to the PEER
test.
• Do not smoke or chew tobacco for 10 hours
Psychiatric EEG Evaluation
prior to the test. Registry
Will I be injected with anything?
No. The EEG is completely non-invasive. For further information, contact:
Amelie Vezina
What about medications?
Follow your physician’s instructions. You may
(613) 722-6521 x 6254
need to temporarily discontinue some or all Amelie.Vezina@theroyal.ca
medications.
Clinical Neuroelectrophysiology and
For other questions, please call your physician’s Cognitive Research Laboratory
office.

Did you know…
The process of selecting medications for patients
suffering from behavioral disorders can be
extremely challenging. The Psychiatric EEG
Evaluation Registry (PEER) is a new and patented
process that informs the physician in determining
individualized treatment for each patient.
Study Objectives
The aim of this study is to improve the prescription
accuracy of psychotropic medications for military
personnel diagnosed with neuropsychiatric
disorders and related conditions
To qualify for entry into the study, patients must:
1. Be 18 – 65 years of age at screening.
2. Have a primary diagnosis of a depressive
disorder. Patients may have comorbidity of
any non-psychotic disorder, as well as PTSD
and/or mTBI.
3. Be able to safely withdraw from medications in
order to have an unmedicated EEG.
Patients must not have:
1. A diagnosis of a psychotic disorder
2. A history of open head brain trauma,
craniotomy, cerebral metastases,
cerebrovascular accident, schizophrenia,
schizo-affective disorder, dementia, mental
retardation, or major depression with
psychotic features;
3. Used depot neuroleptics in last 12 months,
4. Known pregnancy, lactation, or intent to
become pregnant during this study
The PEER Study…
Building Better Evidence for
Mental Healthcare
Four simple steps to get a PEER Report:
Procedures and Visit Schedule
If you enter the study, your participation will last
approximately 3 months.
• The first visit will include a standard clinical
visit with your physician, plus a study
screening session with EEG (approx. 2 hours)
• If you are on medications such as
stimulants and/or benzodiazepines,
you will be required to washout, and
this will be followed by an additional
screening session
• The second visit will include a standard
clinical visit with your physician for
medication initiation, plus a study
questionnaire session (approx. 30 minutes)
• Your third to sixth visit will include a standard
clinical follow-up visit with your physician,
plus a study questionnaire session (approx. 30
min)
• Your final visit will include a standard clinical
visit with your physician, plus a study
termination visit with EEG (approx. 2 hours)
This study has been reviewed by the Royal
Ottawa Health Care Group Research Ethics Board