Age and gender effects in EEG coherence: II. Boys with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated intra-hemispheric and inter-hemispheric EEG coherences as a function of age in boys with different subtypes of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD), in comparison with a control group of normal boys.


METHODS
Three groups of 40 children (AD/HD combined type, AD/HD inattentive type, and normal controls) participated. Each group contained 8 males in each 1 year band from 8 to 12 years. EEG was recorded from 21 sites during an eyes-closed resting condition. Wave-shape coherence was calculated for 8 intra-hemispheric electrode pairs (4 in each hemisphere), and 8 inter-hemispheric electrode pairs, within each of the delta, theta, alpha and beta bands.


RESULTS
Developmental effects in intra-hemispheric coherences at shorter and longer inter-electrode distances generally supported Thatcher's two-compartment model. Control boys showed evidence of development in longer-range inter-hemispheric coherences which was not apparent in AD/HD boys. Boys with AD/HD of the combined type showed qualitatively different anomalies than boys with AD/HD of the inattentive type.


CONCLUSIONS
EEG coherences in normal boys of this age range develop systematically with age in a non-linear fashion. Boys with AD/HD do not show this development. They display coherence anomalies which differ in nature between DSM-IV subtypes, suggesting differences which are not relatable to simple symptom severity.


CONCLUSIONS
The data reported here indicate differences in the development of EEG coherences in boys with AD/HD, and point to differences between the AD/HD subtypes which may help understanding of the disorder.
Barry
Robert J
RJ
Brain & Behaviour Research Institute and Department of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Northfields Avenue, Wollongong NSW 2522, Australia. robert_barry@uow.edu.au
Clarke
Adam R
AR
McCarthy
Rory
R
Selikowitz
Mark
M
Johnstone
Stuart J
SJ
Hsu
Ching-I
CI
Bond
Dominique
D
Wallace
Mark J
MJ
Magee
Christopher A
CA
D000367:Age Factors; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012727:Sex Characteristics