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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

Age and gender effects in EEG coherence: II. Boys with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Robert J Barry1, Adam R Clarke, Rory McCarthy

  • 1Brain & Behaviour Research Institute and Department of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Northfields Avenue, Wollongong NSW 2522, Australia. robert_barry@uow.edu.au

Clinical Neurophysiology : Official Journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology
|March 29, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Electroencephalography (EEG) coherence develops differently in boys with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) compared to neurotypical boys. These EEG coherence anomalies vary between AD/HD subtypes, suggesting distinct neurological underpinnings.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Child Psychiatry

Background:

  • Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder.
  • Understanding the neurophysiological differences in AD/HD subtypes is crucial for targeted interventions.
  • Previous research suggests alterations in brain activity patterns in individuals with AD/HD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate age-related changes in intra-hemispheric and inter-hemispheric EEG coherences.
  • To compare EEG coherence development in boys with combined-type AD/HD, inattentive-type AD/HD, and neurotypical controls.
  • To identify potential neurophysiological distinctions between AD/HD subtypes.

Main Methods:

  • EEG was recorded from 21 sites in 120 boys (8-12 years old) across three groups: combined AD/HD, inattentive AD/HD, and controls.
  • Each group comprised 40 boys, with 8 males in each yearly age band from 8 to 12 years.
  • Wave-shape coherence was calculated for intra- and inter-hemispheric electrode pairs across delta, theta, alpha, and beta frequency bands during a resting state.

Main Results:

  • Intra-hemispheric coherence development generally supported Thatcher's two-compartment model in all groups.
  • Neurotypical boys exhibited developmental changes in long-range inter-hemispheric coherences, which were absent in boys with AD/HD.
  • Distinct coherence anomalies were observed between the combined-type AD/HD and inattentive-type AD/HD groups.

Conclusions:

  • EEG coherence develops systematically and non-linearly with age in neurotypical boys.
  • Boys with AD/HD do not demonstrate this typical developmental trajectory of EEG coherence.
  • Subtype-specific coherence anomalies in AD/HD suggest neurological differences beyond simple symptom severity, aiding in understanding the disorder.
Abstract

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