Effect of EEG biofeedback on serum β-EP and BDNF of children with comorbidity of ADHD and learning disorder

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effect of EEG biofeedback treatment on serum β-EP and BDNF of children with comorbidity of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD)and learning disorder.Methods Forty-eight children(ages 6～12)with comorbidity of ADHD and learning disorder diagnosed according to ICD-10 received 40 sessions of EEG biofeedback treatment.Feedback was contigent on enhancing 16～20Hz beta activity and suppressing 4～8 Hz theta activity.Serum levels of β-endorphin and BDNF were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.Results After treatment significante decreases were observed in the EEG ratio of the theta/beta and theta/SMR(P＜0.01).The mean concentration of serum β-EP increased significantly [(180.29±32.38)pg/ml Vs(191.01±22.85)pg/ml,t=3.86,P＜0.01].The mean concentration of serum BDNF had no significant change[(6.12 ±6.44)ng/ml Vs(4.40±3.68)ng/ml,t=1.71,P＞0.05].Conclusion It seems that highly β-EP levels play a role in the EEG biofeedback treatment pathogenesis of comorbidity of ADHD and learning disorder Key words: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; Leaming disorder; EEG biofeedback; β-Endorphin; BDNF