Resting-state EEG dynamics help explain differences in response control in ADHD: Insight into electrophysiological
Jonah Kember1,2, Lauren Stepien2, Erin Panda2
1Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Plos One
|October 5, 2023
Summary
Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) show improved response control when their brain activity favors high alpha/beta power and low delta/theta power. This brain state may reflect enhanced inhibitory mechanisms in ADHD.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Cognitive Neuroscience
Background:
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with impaired response control, characterized by increased reaction time variability and commission errors.
- Previous research implicates dysregulation of large-scale cortical networks in these control deficits.
- Understanding the neurobiology of ADHD requires investigating the link between cortical network dynamics and response control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between dynamic resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) network properties and response control in children and adolescents with and without ADHD.
- To determine if these associations differ between males and females with ADHD.
- To elucidate the neurobiological underpinnings of response control deficits in ADHD.
Main Methods:
- Assessed dynamic changes in EEG phase-synchronization, modularity, and oscillatory power during resting-state in 112 participants (aged 8-16) with and without ADHD.
- Measured response control during a simple perceptual decision-making task.
- Analyzed associations between EEG network properties and task performance, stratified by sex.
Main Results:
- Oscillatory power, particularly alpha/beta and delta/theta power, was significantly related to response control, more so in individuals with ADHD than controls.
- A brain state characterized by high alpha/beta power and low delta/theta power was associated with better response control, especially in the ADHD group.
- Marginally significant evidence suggested this relationship is stronger in males than females with ADHD.
Conclusions:
- Dynamic changes in oscillatory power are crucially linked to response control in ADHD, suggesting a distinct neurophysiological mechanism.
- The findings indicate that individuals with ADHD may recruit alpha-suppression mechanisms to enhance response control.
- Sex-based differences in the neurobiology of response control in ADHD warrant further investigation.
