Comparison of QEEG Findings between Adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) without Comorbidity and ADHD Comorbid with Internet Gaming Disorder.
Internet gaming disorder (IGD) is often comorbid with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In this study, we compared the neurobiological differences between ADHD comorbid with IGD (ADHD+IGD group) and ADHD without comorbidity (ADHD-only group) by analyzing quantitative electroencephalogram (QEEG) findings. We recruited 16 male ADHD+IGD, 15 male ADHD-only adolescent patients, and 15 male healthy controls (HC group). Participants were assessed using Young's Internet Addiction Scale and ADHD Rating Scale. Relative power and inter- and intra-hemispheric coherences of brain waves were measured using a digital electroencephalography (EEG) system. Compared to the ADHD-only group, the ADHD+IGD group showed lower relative delta power and greater relative beta power in temporal regions. The relative theta power in frontal regions were higher in ADHD-only group compared to HC group. Inter-hemispheric coherence values for the theta band between F3-F4 and C3-C4 electrodes were higher in ADHD-only group compared to HC group. Intra-hemispheric coherence values for the delta, theta, alpha, and beta bands between P4-O2 electrodes and intra-hemispheric coherence values for the theta band between Fz-Cz and T4-T6 electrodes were higher in ADHD+IGD group compared to ADHD-only group. Adolescents who show greater vulnerability to ADHD seem to continuously play Internet games to unconsciously enhance attentional ability. In turn, relative beta power in attention deficit in ADHD+IGD group may become similar to that in HC group. Repetitive activation of brain reward and working memory systems during continuous gaming may result in an increase in neuronal connectivity within the parieto-occipital and temporal regions for the ADHD+IGD group.
Department of Psychiatry, Chung-Ang University Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
Jeong Ha
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6983-9566
JH
Park
Department of Psychiatry, Chung-Ang University Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
Ji Sun
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3898-8427
JS
Hong
Department of Psychiatry, Chung-Ang University Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
Doug Hyun
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5888-0686
DH
Han
Department of Psychiatry, Chung-Ang University Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
Kyoung Joon
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2866-0273
KJ
Min
Department of Psychiatry, Chung-Ang University Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
Young Sik
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2161-8232
YS
Lee
Department of Psychiatry, Chung-Ang University Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
Baik Seok
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5618-7546
BS
Kee
Department of Psychiatry, Chung-Ang University Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. sunmikim706@gmail.com.
Sun Mi
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4131-0542
SM
Kim
D000293:Adolescent; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001931:Brain Mapping; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004566:Electrodes; D004569:Electroencephalography; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000503:physiopathology; D018910:Video Games
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; Coherence Analysis; Internet Gaming Disorder; Quantitative Electroencephalogram; Spectral Analysis