EEG coherence in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and comorbid oppositional defiant disorder.
OBJECTIVE
This study is the first to investigate EEG coherence differences between two groups of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder combined type (AD/HD), with or without comorbid oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and normal control subjects.


METHODS
Each group consisted of 20 males. All subjects were between the ages of 8 and 12 years, and groups were matched on age. EEG was recorded during an eyes-closed resting condition from 21 monopolar derivations. Wave-shape coherence was calculated for 8 intrahemispheric electrode pairs (4 in each hemisphere), and 8 interhemispheric electrode pairs, within each of the delta, theta, alpha, and beta bands.


RESULTS
Children with comorbid AD/HD and ODD had intrahemispheric coherences at shorter inter-electrode distances significantly reduced from those apparent in children with AD/HD without comorbid ODD. Such reduced coherences in the comorbid group appeared to wash out coherence elevations previously noted in AD/HD studies.


CONCLUSIONS
The present results suggest that, rather than suffering an additional deficit, children with AD/HD and comorbid ODD show significantly less CNS impairment than AD/HD patients without comorbid ODD.


CONCLUSIONS
These results have treatment implications, suggesting that behavioural training, perhaps using family-based cognitive behavioural therapy, could be useful for those children with AD/HD and comorbid ODD. This should focus on the ODD symptoms, in association with a medication regime focussed on the AD/HD symptoms.
Barry
Robert J
RJ
Brain & Behaviour Research Institute and School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong 2522, Australia. Robert_Barry@uow.edu.au
Clarke
Adam R
AR
McCarthy
Rory
R
Selikowitz
Mark
M
D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D019958:Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000592:standards; D004566:Electrodes / Q000592:standards; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use
D011619:Psychotropic Drugs