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Electroencephalogram differences in two subtypes of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 March 2001

ADAM R. CLARKE
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong 2522, Australia
ROBERT J. BARRY
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong 2522, Australia
RORY McCARTHY
Affiliation:
Private pediatric practice, Sydney, Australia
MARK SELIKOWITZ
Affiliation:
Private pediatric practice, Sydney, Australia
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Abstract

This study investigated EEG differences between children with two subtypes of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and normal control subjects. EEG was recorded during an eyes-closed resting condition and Fourier transformed to provide absolute and relative power estimates for the delta, theta, alpha, and beta bands, and the mean frequency for each band was calculated. Ratio coefficients were also calculated between frequency bands. Mean group differences were found in the theta, alpha, and beta bands between all three groups. Similarly, differences were found between all three groups for the theta/alpha and theta/beta ratios and for the mean frequency of the total EEG. These results support a model of ADHD resulting from a developmental deviation rather than a maturational lag in the central nervous system. Differences between the clinical groups in frontal activity suggest that different neuroanatomical systems are involved in the different subtypes of ADHD.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
2001 Society for Psychophysiological Research

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