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Updated: Aug 26, 2026

Event Related Potentials (ERPs) and other EEG Based Methods for Extracting Biomarkers of Brain Dysfunction: Examples from Pediatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
10:02

Event Related Potentials (ERPs) and other EEG Based Methods for Extracting Biomarkers of Brain Dysfunction: Examples from Pediatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Published on: March 12, 2020

ADHD: increased dopamine receptor availability linked to attention deficit and low neonatal cerebral blood flow

Hans C Lou1, Pedro Rosa, Ole Pryds

  • 1Centre of Functionally Integrative Neuroscience and PET Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark. hclou@inet.uni2.dk

Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology
|March 5, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Preterm birth may increase ADHD risk by affecting brain development. Low blood flow at birth is linked to dopamine system changes, potentially causing attention deficits in children.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is often considered genetic, but environmental factors play a role.
  • Preterm birth and associated cerebrovascular vulnerability are potential contributors to ADHD.
  • Cerebral ischemia at birth may lead to deficient dopaminergic neurotransmission, a suspected cause of ADHD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the link between neonatal cerebral blood flow (CBF) and dopamine D(2/3) receptor availability in adolescents with a history of attention deficits.
  • To explore the hypothesis that cerebral ischemia at birth contributes to ADHD pathophysiology.

Main Methods:

  • Used positron emission tomography (PET) with [11C] raclopride to measure dopamine D(2/3) receptor binding.
  • Assessed reaction times (RT) and RT variability using the computerized Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA).
  • Examined six adolescents (12-14 years) with documented preterm birth, low neonatal CBF, and attention deficits.

Main Results:

  • Higher dopamine receptor availability (more 'empty receptors') correlated with increased RT and RT variability.
  • Low neonatal CBF was a predictor of high dopamine receptor availability.
  • These findings support a role for dopaminergic dysfunction in ADHD symptomatology.

Conclusions:

  • Neonatal cerebral ischemia may be a contributing factor for ADHD in susceptible infants.
  • Dopamine system alterations are implicated in the attention deficits observed in ADHD.
  • Environmental factors like birth complications significantly impact neurodevelopmental outcomes.

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