Abstract
BackgroundAmong the most robust neural abnormalities differentiating individuals with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) from typically developing controls are elevated levels of slow oscillatory activity (e.g., theta) and reduced fast oscillatory activity (e.g., alpha and beta) during resting-state electroencephalography (EEG). However, studies of resting state EEG in adults with ADHD are scarce and yield inconsistent findings.MethodsEEG profiles, recorded during a resting-state with eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions, were compared for college students with ADHD (n = 18) and a nonclinical comparison group (n = 17).ResultsThe ADHD group showed decreased power for fast frequencies, especially alpha. This group also showed increased power in the slow frequency bands, however, these effects were strongest using relative power computations. Furthermore, the theta/beta ratio measure was reliably higher for the ADHD group. All effects were more pronounced for the eyes-closed compared to the eyes-open condition. Measures of intra-individual variability suggested that brains of the ADHD group were less variable than those of controls.ConclusionsThe findings of this pilot study reveal that college students with ADHD show a distinct neural pattern during resting state, suggesting that oscillatory power, especially alpha, is a useful index for reflecting differences in neural communication of ADHD in early adulthood.
Highlights
Among the most robust neural abnormalities differentiating individuals with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) from typically developing controls are elevated levels of slow oscillatory activity and reduced fast oscillatory activity during resting-state electroencephalography (EEG)
Group characteristics The Adult ADHD Self Report Scale (ASRS) confirmed that the Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) group, relative to the control group, exhibited more ADHD symptoms (p’s < .001)
The Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ) showed that the ADHD group reported significantly more general cognitive failures in their everyday life
Summary
Among the most robust neural abnormalities differentiating individuals with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) from typically developing controls are elevated levels of slow oscillatory activity (e.g., theta) and reduced fast oscillatory activity (e.g., alpha and beta) during resting-state electroencephalography (EEG). Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a pervasive mental health condition that is characterized by symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity. Childhood ADHD has been characterized by higher power in slow oscillations (e.g., delta and theta frequencies), and lower power in fast oscillations (e.g., alpha and beta frequencies) relative to normative control groups (see, [13,14], for reviews). A ratio measure, dividing slow-oscillatory by fast-oscillatory power, has shown to be one of the most reliable neurophysiological indices of ADHD [14], its reliability for diagnoses remains uncertain [15]
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