EEG analysis of brain activity in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder during an attention task

BackgroundMethylphenidate and atomoxetine are commonly prescribed for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, their therapeutic neural mechanisms remain unclear.MethodAfter baseline evaluation including cognitive testing of the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB), drug-naive children with ADHD (n = 46), aged 7–17 years, were randomly assigned to a 12-week treatment with methylphenidate (n = 22) or atomoxetine (n = 24). Intrinsic brain activity, including the fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF) and regional homogeneity (ReHo), was quantified via resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging at baseline and week 12.ResultsReductions in inattentive symptoms were related to increased fALFF in the left superior temporal gyrus and left inferior parietal lobule for ADHD children treated with methylphenidate, and in the left lingual gyrus and left inferior occipital gyrus for ADHD children treated with atomoxetine. Hyperactivity/impulsivity symptom reductions were differentially related to increased fALFF in the methylphenidate group and to decreased fALFF in the atomoxetine group in bilateral precentral and postcentral gyri. Prediction analyses in the atomoxetine group revealed negative correlations between pre-treatment CANTAB simple reaction time and fALFF change in the left lingual gyrus and left inferior occipital gyrus, and positive correlations between pre-treatment CANTAB simple movement time and fALFF change in bilateral precentral and postcentral gyri and left precuneus, with a negative correlation between movement time and the fALFF change in the left lingual gyrus and the inferior occipital gyrus.ConclusionsOur findings suggest differential neurophysiological mechanisms for the treatment effects of methylphenidate and atomoxetine in children with ADHD.

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Complexity analysis of brain activity in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A multiscale entropy analysis

Brain Research Bulletin ◽

10.1016/j.brainresbull.2016.03.007 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 124 ◽

pp. 12-20 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Li Chenxi ◽

Yanni Chen ◽

Youjun Li ◽

Jue Wang ◽

Tian Liu

Keyword(s):

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Complexity Analysis ◽

Brain Activity ◽

Multiscale Entropy ◽

Entropy Analysis ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder

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Quasi-periodic patterns of brain activity in individuals with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

10.1101/435347 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Anzar Abbas ◽

Yasmine Bassil ◽

Shella Keilholz

Keyword(s):

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Functional Connectivity ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Brain Activity ◽

Spatiotemporal Pattern ◽

Periodic Patterns ◽

Default Mode ◽

Analysis Techniques ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

And Task

Individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder have been shown to have disrupted functional connectivity in the default mode and task positive networks. Traditional fMRI analysis techniques that focus on static changes in functional connectivity have been successful in identifying differences between healthy controls and individuals with ADHD. However, such analyses are unable to explain the mechanisms behind the functional connectivity differences observed. Here, we study dynamic changes in functional connectivity in individuals with ADHD through investigation of quasi-periodic patterns (QPPs). QPPs are reliably recurring low-frequency spatiotemporal patterns in the brain linked to infra-slow electrical activity. They have been shown to contribute to functional connectivity observed through static analysis techniques. We find that QPPs contribute to functional connectivity specifically in regions that are disrupted during ADHD. Individuals with ADHD also show differences in the spatiotemporal pattern observed within the QPPs. This difference results in a weaker contribution of QPPs to functional connectivity in the default mode and task positive networks. We conclude that quasi-periodic patterns provide insight into the mechanisms behind functional connectivity differences seen in individuals with ADHD. This allows for a better understanding of the etiology of the disorder and development of effective treatments.

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