EEG and electrodermal activity in girls with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Child Psychology
• Psychophysiology

Background:

• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder.
• The Hypoarousal Model suggests reduced central nervous system (CNS) arousal in AD/HD.
• Limited research has focused on CNS arousal specifically in girls with AD/HD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the Hypoarousal Model of AD/HD in a cohort of girls.
• To examine electroencephalogram (EEG) and skin conductance level (SCL) differences between girls with and without AD/HD.
• To explore the relationship between AD/HD symptoms and physiological measures in girls.

Main Methods:

• Recruited 40 girls diagnosed with AD/HD and 40 age-matched controls (7-12 years).
• Recorded resting eyes-closed electroencephalogram (EEG) from 19 electrodes and skin conductance level (SCL).
• Analyzed EEG power spectral densities (delta, theta, alpha, beta, gamma bands) and SCL, using regression to correlate with symptoms.

Main Results:

• Girls with AD/HD showed globally elevated relative delta and reduced absolute beta and gamma activity compared to controls.
• Reduced mean SCL was observed in girls with AD/HD.
• Inattentive symptoms correlated with elevated frontal relative delta and reduced SCL; hyperactive-impulsive symptoms correlated with elevated frontal relative delta.

Conclusions:

• The findings support the Hypoarousal Model in girls with AD/HD, indicating reduced CNS arousal.
• Girls with AD/HD exhibit an anomalous arousal mechanism, with specific EEG and SCL alterations.
• This study, the first to exclusively examine CNS arousal in girls with AD/HD, provides a foundation for future research into sex-specific AD/HD pathophysiology.