EEG correlates of methylphenidate response among children with ADHD: a preliminary report

Abstract

Recent electrophysiologic studies have found fairly consistent differences between children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and age-matched control subjects. The present study examined electroencephalogram (EEG) changes associated with a double blind, placebo-controlled administration of methylphenidate among children with ADHD. Subjects were 10 children, ages 8 to 13, with a primary diagnosis of ADHD. Brain electrical activity was recorded with 7 electrodes in the frontal, central, and midline areas during baseline and cognitive activation conditions. Repeated-measures ANOVAs indicate that children exhibiting a positive medication response had reductions of theta and alpha as well as increased beta in the frontal regions, while nonresponders showed the opposite pattern (p < .05). Significant correlations between improvement on a vigilance task and changes in beta activity in the frontal electrodes emerged as well. These preliminary findings indicate that there are different electrophysiologic correlates to methylphenidate among ADHD children who are medication responders and nonresponders.