Epileptiform abnormalities and quantitative EEG in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

There is much controversy about the importance of the electroencephalogram (EEG) in assessing the attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The objective of this study was to assess the use of EEG and quantitative EEG (qEEG) in ADHD children. Thirty ADHD children and 30 sex- and age-matched controls with no neurological or psychiatric problems were studied. The EEG was recorded from 15 electrode sites during an eyes-closed resting condition. Epileptiform activity was assessed, as were the absolute and relative powers in the classical bands after application of the Fast Fourier transform. Epileptiform activity was found in 3 (10%) ADHD children. As compared to the controls, the ADHD group showed significantly greater absolute delta and theta powers in a diffuse way, and also greater absolute beta power and smaller relative alpha 1 and beta powers at some electrodes. A logistic multiple regression model, allowed for 83.3% sensibility and specificity in diagnosing ADHD.