Abstract
Background: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents
is characterized by excessive restlessness and an extremely poor concentration span,
resulting in impulsive and disruptive behavior. Clinical observation of ADHD in adults
suggests that the hyperactivity component is diminished although the impulsive type
behaviors remain apparent. EEG studies of children and adolescents with ADHD have
reported significantly higher levels of low frequency activity (predominantly theta)
and lower levels of beta activity than normal controls.
Methods: We examined the relationship between the age-related changes reported in
clinical observation and changes in EEG activity occurring in a group of ADHD patients
ranging in age from 6 to 42 years. Quantitative EEGs were obtained from the midline
sites of 25 children, 25 adolescents and 25 adults diagnosed with ADHD, and compared
with those of age matched normal controls.
Results: Theta activity was elevated in the ADHD groups across all age groups compared
with the normal controls. The extent of the reduction in relative beta activity in
the ADHD groups compared to normal controls decreased with increasing age.
Conclusions: Given that the hyperactivity component in ADHD reduces with age while
the impulsivity component remains, these data, in ADHD, suggest that decreased beta
activity may be linked to hyperactivity and increased theta activity to impulsivity.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
February 10,
1999
Received in revised form:
February 4,
1999
Received:
July 29,
1998
Identification
Copyright
© 1999 Society of Biological Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
