title: EEG differences between good and poor responders to methylphenidate and dexamphetamine in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This series of studies investigated (1) electroencephalographic (EEG) differences between good and poor responders to methylphenidate, (2) EEG differences between good and poor responders to dexamphetamine, and (3) differences in the EEGs of good responders to methylphenidate versus dexamphetamine, within samples of children with the combined type of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty good and 20 poor responders to each of methylphenidate and dexamphetamine, based on the results of a continuous performance task, and 20 age-matched control subjects, participated in this study. EEG was recorded from 21 sites during an eyes-closed resting condition and Fourier transformed to provide estimates for total power, and absolute and relative power in the delta, theta, alpha and beta bands, and for the theta/alpha and theta/beta ratios.
  
  
  RESULTS
  EEG differences were found between the good and poor responders to each medication. Good responders to methylphenidate had EEG profiles that suggested that they were more cortically hypoaroused than poor responders. In contrast, the good responders to dexamphetamine appeared to be more maturationally lagged than the poor responders. The two good-responder groups had EEG profiles which suggested that there were two different underlying central nervous system (CNS) dysfunctions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Children with the combined type of ADHD do not constitute a homogeneous clinical group, as different types of CNS dysfunction are present within this population. These results also indicate the need for medication testing to be undertaken before a child is prescribed stimulant medication for ADHD.
authors.affiliation: Brain and Behaviour Research Institute, University of Wollongong, 2522, Wollongong, Australia. adam_clarke@uow.edu.au
authors.forename: Adam R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Clarke
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Barry
authors.forename: Rory
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McCarthy
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Selikowitz
mesh_terms: D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D003913:Dextroamphetamine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008774:Methylphenidate; D003913:Dextroamphetamine