EEG Biomarkers as Indices of Functional Brain Systems in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Abstract: Despite increasing evidence linking electroencephalography (EEG) features to neurodevelopment and psychopathology, their clinical use in child and adolescent psychiatry remains largely limited. This paper proposes a translational framework that situates EEG-derived neurofunctional markers within four complementary levels of interpretation: (1) normative and developmental reference; (2) functional domains aligned with the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) framework; (3) theory-driven models such as vigilance regulation, metacontrol, and brain age; and (4) contextual moderation including adversity and sociodemographic factors. Rather than conceptualizing EEG as a deterministic tool, this framework supports differentiated characterization of transdiagnostic phenotypes and individual functional profiles. The aim is to expand clinical reasoning by integrating EEG process data into individualized, biologically grounded diagnostic strategies for youth mental health.