Abstract
Aim: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common childhood neuropsychiatric disorder that affects 6.1 million US children. The mechanism of ADHD is currently unclear. Differences in ADHD presentations between boys and girls are well-established. In the present study, we used quantitative electroencephalography (EEG) to investigate the brain area and EEG bands of boys with ADHD.Methods: This study enrolled 40 boys with ADHD and 40 age-matched controls without ADHD. Low-resolution electromagnetic tomography (LORETA) and instantaneous frequency were used to analyze EEG data to reveal the mechanisms underlying ADHD in boys.Results: We found that the instantaneous frequencies in the T3 and T4 EEG channels in boys with ADHD were significantly higher than those in the controls. The beta band showed significant difference in current density between the ADHD and control groups. In the entire brain area, the bilateral inferior and middle temporal gyrus exhibited the most significant difference between the ADHD and control groups in the EEG beta band. Connectivity analysis revealed an increase in connectivity between the left middle frontal gyrus and fusiform gyrus of the temporal lobe in boys with ADHD.Conclusions: LORETA is a promising tool for analyzing EEG signals and can be used to investigate the mechanism of ADHD. Our results reveal that the inferior temporal gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, and fusiform gyrus of the temporal lobe are potentially involved in the pathogenesis of ADHD in boys. In comparison with other imaging methods, such as magnetic resonance imaging, EEG is easy to perform, fast, and low cost. Our study presents a new approach for investigating the pathogenesis of ADHD in boys.
Highlights
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurodevelopmental disorder diagnosed in childhood
We noted a significantly increased current density of the beta bands over the inferior temporal gyrus and middle temporal gyrus in boys with ADHD
Using the promising analytic tool of Low-resolution electromagnetic tomography (LORETA), our study revealed that increased beta activity over the inferior temporal gyrus and the middle temporal gyrus and connectivity disturbance between the left middle frontal gyrus and the fusiform gyrus of the temporal lobe are potentially involved in ADHD manifestations in boys
Summary
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurodevelopmental disorder diagnosed in childhood. ADHD is more commonly diagnosed in boys than in girls (the determined ratios range between 3:1 and 9:1) (Cormier, 2008; Willcutt, 2012). Girls with ADHD more commonly exhibit high emotional reactivity and excessive talking (Quinn, 2005). These differences suggest diverse mechanisms for ADHD between the sexes. A higher theta/beta ratio (TBR) in electroencephalography (EEG) bands was observed in the central area in patients with ADHD (Chabot and Serfontein, 1996; Arns et al, 2012). For a more complete understanding of the brain area and EEG bands involved in male individuals with ADHD, the present study examined a cohort of boys with ADHD
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