Behavioral rhythm and EEG rhythm to determine timing deficits in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms

Shoko Kinumaki,Eri Miyauchi,Masahiro Kawasaki

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04546

Abstract

One characteristic of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a timing deficit, i.e. difficulty tapping a self-selected pace and keeping the pace. The timing disorder is reported to relate to the frontal brain area. However, optimal means for evaluating this timing deficit and the corresponding neural mechanisms that accompany ADHD symptoms have not been identified. To address the issue, we required participants to tap one key of a keyboard sequentially and to maintain arbitrary tempos of their tapping intervals. We assessed ADHD symptoms using the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) and evaluated brain activity via electroencephalography (EEG). Behavioral results indicated that the high ASRS group displayed a large inter-tap-interval gap (defined as the distribution of the time difference between the current tapping interval and the last one). Moreover, EEG results indicated that the work-load related brain activity (i.e. frontal beta activity) was higher in the high ASRS group. These results suggest that our tasks and analyses are useful for the evaluation of ADHD symptoms, although it was preliminary due to the small sample size and the non-patient data.

Highlights

One characteristic of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a timing deficit [1], that is, difficulty in tapping with keeping a self-selected pace [2] as well as with synchronizing an external stimulus rhythm [3]
We examined the relationship between ADHD symptoms and inter-tap interval and EEG activities during the tapping tasks which entail a request to tap at arbitrary paces constantly and continuously
There were no significant differences in timing variability for the average standard deviation, and variable coefficient between high-ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) and low-ASRS groups, irrespective of the right/left hands conditions (p > 0.05)

Summary

Introduction

One characteristic of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a timing deficit [1], that is, difficulty in tapping with keeping a self-selected pace [2] as well as with synchronizing an external stimulus rhythm [3]. Some studies indicate no difference in timing variability in ADHD patients compared to healthy controls [7]. It is unclear whether the timing deficits vary by the hand they used. This study investigates the utility of the inter-tap-interval gap which is defined as the time difference between the current inter-tap-interval and the prior inter-tap-interval, when participants are instructed to keep the inter-tap-interval constant [8]

Methods

Results

Conclusion