[Electroencephalography in children with ADHD started with neurofeedback therapy]
Aicja Kubik1, Marta Bogotko-Szarszewska, Maria Tutaj
1Instytut Neuromedica, Kraków. alicja.kubik@neuromedica.pl
Background:
ADHD is characterized by lack of attention and concentration, hyperactivity and impulsivity and occurrs in about 3-5% of school-age children. Analysis of EEG plays an important role in comprehending the character of disturbed brain processes. Nowadays significant predictive values of EEG in response to neurostimulation treatment are being looked for.
Material And Methods:
Visual analysis included results of standard EEG examination of 109 children who underwent neurofeedback treatment in the years 2007-2009. These children were at the age range from 6 to 17 years and boys were predominating (86/109). The groups with "pure" ADHD, ADHD with emotional disorders (26/25 children) and ADHD with tics/dyslexial behaviour disorders/epilepsy (17/14/14/13 children) were the most numerous. 11 parameters were used to characterize basal activity, features of eeg maturation, presence of epileptiform graphoelements, paroxysmality, lateralization and localization of pathological changes. Theta/beta ratio was calculated by computer as well.
Results:
Theta/beta ratio did not allow to differentiate groups of patients. Increase of theta and alfa activity was observed in children with ADHD and tics when compared with children with "pure" ADHD. In children with ADHD and dyslexia delta and theta activity in occipital regions was increased as well as theta and alfa activity and their amplitudes in the left fronto-temporo-parietal region (region of speech center). In children with ADHD and behaviour disorders paroxysmal localized changes with slow and sharp waves in the temporo-centroparietal regions occurred more often. In the group with ADHD and emotional disorders higher share of fast beta activity in the centro-middle temporal regions with right hemisphere predominance was revealed, probably associated with higher level of agitation and anxiety. Additionally high percentage of epileptiform grapho-elements was observed in all groups (28-50%).
Conclusions:
(1) Visual analysis of EEG recordings enables characterization of type and localization of changes in bioelectrical activity in children with ADHD syndrome. (2) This analysis reveals presence of differences in occurrence of some EEG parameters in the groups of children with ADHD and associated other disorders. (3) ADHD diagnostics is indicated especially among children with emotional disorders. (4) Bioelectric characteristic provides basement for elaboration of individual neurofeedback therapy protocol.
