Increased rates of intermittent rhythmic delta and theta activity in the electroencephalographies of adult patients with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

Epilepsy Behav. 2017 Oct:75:60-65. doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2017.06.039. Epub 2017 Aug 19.

Abstract

Introduction: Adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder. In subgroups of patients with a (para)epileptic pathomechanism, this might be due to intermittent rhythmic delta or theta activity (IRDA/IRTA).

Participants and methods: Using a fully data-driven analysis, we compared the IRDA/IRTA rates in the resting electroencephalography (EEG) results of 97 adult patients with ADHD and 30 control subjects. The IRDA/IRTA rates before hyperventilation (HV) and for HV difference (difference between IRDA/IRTA rate after and before HV) were compared between groups using a linear model.

Results: We detected significantly increased rates of IRDA/IRTA before HV (F=4.209, p=0.042) in patients with ADHD but no significant difference between the groups for HV-difference (F=2.46, p=0.119).

Discussion: The increased IRDA/IRTA rates before HV in the group with ADHD might lead to (para)epileptic short-term effects (e.g., impulsivity) via local area network inhibition, and to long-term effects (e.g., cognitive deficits) via connectivistic brain restructuring.

Keywords: ADHD; Adults; EEG; IRDA; IRTA; LANI.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / diagnosis
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / physiopathology*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Child
  • Delta Rhythm*
  • Electroencephalography*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyperventilation / physiopathology
  • Impulsive Behavior / physiology
  • Linear Models
  • Male
  • Theta Rhythm*