Age dependent electroencephalographic changes in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis relies on subjective criteria.
• Objective biomarkers are needed for improved ADHD diagnostics and treatment monitoring.
• Resting electroencephalogram (EEG) offers non-invasive spectral markers of brain function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze ADHD and developmental effects on spectral resting EEG biomarkers.
• To clarify the diagnostic value of EEG spectral markers using pattern classification.
• To investigate age- and frequency-dependent alterations in ADHD.

Main Methods:

• Integrated analysis of resting (eyes-closed) EEG spectral biomarkers in children and adults.
• Regression analysis and support vector machine (SVM) classification were employed.
• Analysis focused on power and central frequency across all EEG bands.

Main Results:

• EEG alterations in ADHD are age- and frequency-dependent.
• Adult ADHD showed decreased delta/theta power, but increased alpha-1 and beta power, with alpha frequency slowing.
• SVM classification achieved 67% sensitivity and 83% specificity for adult ADHD, but was less effective for children.

Conclusions:

• Resting state electrophysiology is altered in ADHD, with impairments persisting into adulthood.
• Spectral EEG biomarkers demonstrate potential for both diagnostic and prognostic value in ADHD.
• Further research may refine EEG-based ADHD diagnostics.