Associations between ADHD symptoms, executive function and frontal EEG in college students

This study aims to assess whether electroencephalogram (EEG) spectral power change scores (e.g. task spectral power subtracted from resting state spectral power) across three different frequency bands, alpha (8-12 Hz), theta (4-7 Hz), and beta (13-30 Hz), predicts self-reported attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms using the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) over and above self-reported executive function (EF) abilities using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF-A) Global Executive Composite (GEC) T-scores for adults.

Data were collected at a rural, mid-sized southeastern university (N = 52) and participants received course credit for participation. Participants self-reported ADHD symptoms and EF abilities before completing eyes open resting state and the attention network test (ANT), a common flanker task that measures ability to orient attention, stay alert, and resolve conflict (i.e. distractor arrows) while recording EEG spectral power at electrodes F3 and F4. Bivariate correlations determine associations between EEG measures and self-reported ADHD symptoms and EF abilities. Linear regressions were used to assess whether EEG change scores were predictive of ADHD symptoms over and above EF abilities.

High correlation coefficients were found only when comparing the ASRS and BRIEF-A GEC T-scores (r = .822, p <.001). Regression analyses produced significant results indicating EEG spectral change scores were predictive of ADHD symptoms, over and above GEC T-Scores, for the alpha band but not the theta and beta bands. Additionally, we found an inverse relationship when comparing change scores in the alpha band across the right (F4) and left (F3) hemispheres supporting the theory of frontal asymmetry for individuals with increased ADHD symptoms.

This study is the first to assess the predictive ability of EEG spectral power change scores in predicting ADHD symptoms, which are not solely explained by deficits in executive control. Past research has indicated significant differences when comparing task and resting state spectral power indicating change scores might have some utility in measuring cognitive load, specifically in the alpha band, which has been associated with inhibition, working memory, and anticipation of stimuli. Further research should be conducted to assess the utility change scores might have in providing an objective measure related to a clinical population with ADHD.