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Behavioral and Brain Functions
Published in: Behavioral and Brain Functions 1/2012

Open Access 01-12-2012 | Research

Resting state EEG oscillatory power differences in ADHD college students and their peers

Authors: Steven Woltering, Jessica Jung, Zhongxu Liu, Rosemary Tannock

Published in: Behavioral and Brain Functions | Issue 1/2012

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Abstract

Background

Among the most robust neural abnormalities differentiating individuals with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) from typically developing controls are elevated levels of slow oscillatory activity (e.g., theta) and reduced fast oscillatory activity (e.g., alpha and beta) during resting-state electroencephalography (EEG). However, studies of resting state EEG in adults with ADHD are scarce and yield inconsistent findings.

Methods

EEG profiles, recorded during a resting-state with eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions, were compared for college students with ADHD (n = 18) and a nonclinical comparison group (n = 17).

Results

The ADHD group showed decreased power for fast frequencies, especially alpha. This group also showed increased power in the slow frequency bands, however, these effects were strongest using relative power computations. Furthermore, the theta/beta ratio measure was reliably higher for the ADHD group. All effects were more pronounced for the eyes-closed compared to the eyes-open condition. Measures of intra-individual variability suggested that brains of the ADHD group were less variable than those of controls.

Conclusions

The findings of this pilot study reveal that college students with ADHD show a distinct neural pattern during resting state, suggesting that oscillatory power, especially alpha, is a useful index for reflecting differences in neural communication of ADHD in early adulthood.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Resting state EEG oscillatory power differences in ADHD college students and their peers
Authors
Steven Woltering
Jessica Jung
Zhongxu Liu
Rosemary Tannock
Publication date
01-12-2012
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Behavioral and Brain Functions / Issue 1/2012
Electronic ISSN: 1744-9081
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1744-9081-8-60

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