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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
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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

Published on: March 12, 2020

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Clinical Impact of Epileptiform Discharge in Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Eun Hye Lee1, Yong Sung Choi2, Hoi Soo Yoon2

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea leeeh80@khmc.or.kr.

Journal of Child Neurology
|September 6, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Epileptiform discharges, abnormal electrical activity in the brain, are common in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). These discharges may indicate an increased risk for developing epilepsy in ADHD patients.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pediatrics
  • Clinical Neurology

Background:

  • Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder.
  • The relationship between ADHD and epilepsy, particularly the presence of epileptiform discharges, requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of epileptiform discharges in children diagnosed with ADHD.
  • To explore the clinical significance and potential association with epilepsy in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of 180 children diagnosed with ADHD.
  • Analysis of electroencephalography (EEG) recordings to identify epileptiform discharges.
  • Correlation of EEG findings with clinical history, including epilepsy and seizure occurrence.

Main Results:

  • Epileptiform discharges were identified in 16.1% of ADHD patients.
  • Both generalized (8.3%) and focal (7.7%) epileptiform discharges were observed.
  • Focal discharges were most common in frontal and rolandic areas.
  • Patients with epileptiform discharges had a higher incidence of prior or subsequent epilepsy diagnosis compared to those without.

Conclusions:

  • Interictal epileptiform discharges are associated with seizure occurrence in children with ADHD.
  • These findings suggest overlapping maturational pathophysiology between ADHD and epilepsy.
  • EEG evaluation may be beneficial for identifying ADHD patients at risk for epilepsy.

Keywords:
attention-deficit/hyperactivity disordercognitionepilepsyepileptiform dischargesseizure

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