In a preprint manuscript (Stevelink et al., 2019), we explored the genetic correlation between theta and beta power and the generalized genetic epilepsy (GGE) GWAS of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE Consortium, 2014). Beta power in particular may prove to be a biomarker with links to GABA expression in inhibitory interneurons (Hall et al., 2010; Porjesz et al., 2002; Rangaswamy et al., 2002) and consequently may have a role in epilepsy when inhibition and excitation are imbalanced (Magloire et al., 2019). Beta power is generally not considered interictal epileptiform brain activity, which typically includes spike and sharp wave activity (Pillai & Sperling, 2006). Significant positive genetic correlations were found between beta power and liability for GGE, indicating shared genetic architecture. In an independent Epilepsy GWAS (Epi25 consortium), the genetic correlation remained significant. Since the participants studied in ENIGMA‐EEG were all nonepileptic (epilepsy in all its forms is an exclusion criterion for most if not all EEG studies that do not focus on epilepsy), this provides some insights into whether resting‐state recordings can be used to determine neuronal hyperexcitability below
