title: Desynchronization of Theta-Phase Gamma-Amplitude Coupling during a Mental Arithmetic Task in Children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Theta-phase gamma-amplitude coupling (TGC) measurement has recently received attention as a feasible method of assessing brain functions such as neuronal interactions. The purpose of this electroencephalographic (EEG) study is to understand the mechanisms underlying the deficits in attentional control in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) by comparing the power spectra and TGC at rest and during a mental arithmetic task.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nineteen-channel EEGs were recorded from 97 volunteers (including 53 subjects with ADHD) from a camp for hyperactive children under two conditions (rest and task performance). The EEG power spectra and the TGC data were analyzed. Correlation analyses between the Intermediate Visual and Auditory (IVA) continuous performance test (CPT) scores and EEG parameters were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant difference in the power spectra was detected between the groups at rest and during task performance. However, TGC was reduced during the arithmetic task in the ADHD group compared with the normal group (F = 16.70, p < 0.001). The TGC values positively correlated with the IVA CPT scores but negatively correlated with theta power.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggest that desynchronization of TGC occurred during the arithmetic task in ADHD children. TGC in ADHD children is expected to serve as a promising neurophysiological marker of network deactivation during attention-demanding tasks.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Catholic University of Daegu School of Medicine, Daegu, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jun Won
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Bung-Nyun
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Korea Institute on Neuromodulation, EasyBrain Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jaewon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Chung-Ang University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Chul
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Na
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Chung-Ang University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Baik Seok
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Kee
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Chung-Ang University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Kyung Joon
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Min
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Chung-Ang University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Doug Hyun
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Johanna Inhyang
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Chung-Ang University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Young Sik
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D065818:Gamma Rhythm; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008433:Mathematics; D011340:Problem Solving; D013826:Theta Rhythm