Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

EEG theta and beta power spectra in adolescents with ADHD versus adolescents with ASD + ADHD

  • Original Contribution
  • Published:
European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Attention problems are common in youngsters with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as well as in adolescents with combined autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and ADHD. However, it is unknown whether there is psychophysiological overlap and/or a difference in electroencephalogram (EEG) power spectra between ADHD and comorbid ASD and ADHD (ASD + ADHD), on and off stimulant medication. To explore potential differences and overlap, measures of theta and beta power in adolescents diagnosed with ADHD (n = 33) versus adolescents with combined ASD + ADHD (n = 20), categorized by stimulant medication use (57 % of the total sample), were compared. EEG measures were acquired in three conditions: (1) resting state, eyes closed (2) resting state, eyes open and (3) during an oddball task. In addition, performance on the d2 attention test was analyzed. Adolescents with ADHD displayed more absolute theta activity than adolescents with ASD + ADHD during the eyes open and task conditions, independent of stimulant medication use. In addition, only the adolescents with ADHD showed an association between diminished attention test performance and increased theta in the eyes open condition. Results of the current study suggest that although there is behavioral overlap between ADHD characteristics in adolescents with ADHD and adolescents with combined ASD + ADHD, the underlying psychophysiological mechanisms may be different. Adolescents with ASD + ADHD exhibited fewer of the EEG physiological signs usually associated with ADHD, although there was an overlap in attentional problems between the groups. This may indicate that treatments developed for ADHD work differently in some adolescents with ASD + ADHD and adolescents with ADHD only.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Willcutt EG (2012) The prevalence of DSM-IV attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a meta-analytic review. Neurotherapeutics 9(3):490–499. doi:10.1007/s13311-012-0135-8

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Simonoff E, Pickles A, Charman T, Chandler S, Loucas T, Baird G (2008) Psychiatric disorders in children with autism spectrum disorders: prevalence, comorbidity, and associated factors in a population-derived sample. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 47(8):921–929. doi:10.1097/CHI.0b013e318179964f

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. American Psychiatric Association (2000) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edn. American Psychiatric Association, Washington (Text Revision edn)

    Google Scholar 

  4. American Psychiatric Association (2013) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edn. American Psychiatric Association, Arlington

    Google Scholar 

  5. Faraone SV, Buitelaar J (2010) Comparing the efficacy of stimulants for ADHD in children and adolescents using meta-analysis. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 19(4):353–364. doi:10.1007/s00787-009-0054-3

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Cortese S, Castelnau P, Morcillo C, Roux S, Bonnet-Brilhault F (2012) Psychostimulants for ADHD-like symptoms in individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Expert Rev Neurother 12(4):461–473. doi:10.1586/ern.12.23

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Research Units on Pediatric Psychopharmacology Autism Network (2005) Randomized, controlled, crossover trial of methylphenidate in pervasive developmental disorders with hyperactivity. Arch Gen Psychiatry 62(11):1266–1274. doi:10.1001/archpsyc.62.11.1266

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Greenhill LL, Swanson JM, Vitiello B, Davies M, Clevenger W, Wu M, Arnold LE, Abikoff HB, Bukstein OG, Conners CK, Elliott GR, Hechtman L, Hinshaw SP, Hoza B, Jensen PS, Kraemer HC, March JS, Newcorn JH, Severe JB, Wells K, Wigal T (2001) Impairment and deportment responses to different methylphenidate doses in children with ADHD: the MTA titration trial. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 40(2):180–187. doi:10.1097/00004583-200102000-00012

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Snyder SM, Hall JR (2006) A meta-analysis of quantitative EEG power associated with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. J Clin Neurophysiol 23(5):440–455. doi:10.1097/01.wnp.0000221363.12503.78

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Loo SK, Makeig S (2012) Clinical utility of EEG in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a research update. Neurotherapeutics 9(3):569–587. doi:10.1007/s13311-012-0131-z

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Cortese S (2012) The neurobiology and genetics of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): what every clinician should know. Eur J Paediatr Neurol EJPN Off J Eur Paediatr Neurol Soc 16(5):422–433. doi:10.1016/j.ejpn.2012.01.009

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Banaschewski T, Brandeis D (2007) Annotation: what electrical brain activity tells us about brain function that other techniques cannot tell us—a child psychiatric perspective. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 48(5):415–435

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. John ER, Ahn H, Prichep L, Trepetin M, Brown D, Kaye H (1980) Developmental equations for the electroencephalogram. Science 210(4475):1255–1258

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Loo SK, Barkley RA (2005) Clinical utility of EEG in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Appl Neuropsychol 12(2):64–76. doi:10.1207/s15324826an1202_2

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Clarke AR, Barry RJ, McCarthy R, Selikowitz M (1998) EEG analysis in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: a comparative study of two subtypes. Psychiatry Res 81(1):19–29 (S0165-1781(98)00072-9 [pii])

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Satterfield JH, Cantwell DP, Satterfield BT (1974) Pathophysiology of the hyperactive child syndrome. Arch Gen Psychiatry 31(6):839–844

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. van Dongen-Boomsma M, Lansbergen MM, Bekker EM, Kooij JJ, van der Molen M, Kenemans JL, Buitelaar JK (2010) Relation between resting EEG to cognitive performance and clinical symptoms in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Neurosci Lett 469(1):102–106. doi:10.1016/j.neulet.2009.11.053

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Loo SK, Hale TS, Macion J, Hanada G, McGough JJ, McCracken JT, Smalley SL (2009) Cortical activity patterns in ADHD during arousal, activation and sustained attention. Neuropsychologia 47(10):2114–2119. doi:10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2009.04.013

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Poil SS, Bollmann S, Ghisleni C, O’Gorman RL, Klaver P, Ball J, Eich-Hochli D, Brandeis D, Michels L (2014) Age dependent electroencephalographic changes in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Clin Neurophysiol. doi:10.1016/j.clinph.2013.12.118

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Clarke AR, Barry RJ, Bond D, McCarthy R, Selikowitz M (2002) Effects of stimulant medications on the EEG of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Psychopharmacology 164(3):277–284. doi:10.1007/s00213-002-1205-0

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Hermens DF, Williams LM, Clarke S, Kohn M, Cooper N, Gordon E (2005) Responses to methylphenidate in adolescent AD/HD: evidence from concurrently recorded autonomic (EDA) and central (EEG and ERP) measures. Int J Psychophysiol 58(1):21–33. doi:10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2005.03.006

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Clarke AR, Barry RJ, McCarthy R, Selikowitz M, Brown CR, Croft RJ (2003) Effects of stimulant medications on the EEG of children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Predominantly Inattentive type. Int J Psychophysiol 47(2):129–137

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Clarke AR, Barry RJ, McCarthy R, Selikowitz M (2001) Excess beta activity in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: an atypical electrophysiological group. Psychiatry Res 103(2–3):205–218 (S0165-1781(01)00277-3 [pii])_

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Clarke AR, Barry RJ, McCarthy R, Selikowitz M, Clarke DC, Croft RJ (2003) Effects of stimulant medications on children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and excessive beta activity in their EEG. Clin Neurophysiol 114(9):1729–1737

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Murias M, Webb SJ, Greenson J, Dawson G (2007) Resting state cortical connectivity reflected in EEG coherence in individuals with autism. Biol Psychiatry 62(3):270–273. doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2006.11.012

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Coben R, Clarke AR, Hudspeth W, Barry RJ (2008) EEG power and coherence in autistic spectrum disorder. Clin Neurophysiol 119(5):1002–1009. doi:10.1016/j.clinph.2008.01.013

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Clarke AR, Barry RJ, McCarthy R, Selikowitz M (2001) Electroencephalogram differences in two subtypes of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Psychophysiology 38(2):212–221

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Chabot RJ, Serfontein G (1996) Quantitative electroencephalographic profiles of children with attention deficit disorder. Biol Psychiatry 40(10):951–963. doi:10.1016/0006-3223(95)00576-5

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Orekhova EV, Stroganova TA, Nygren G, Tsetlin MM, Posikera IN, Gillberg C, Elam M (2007) Excess of high frequency electroencephalogram oscillations in boys with autism. Biol Psychiatry 62(9):1022–1029. doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2006.12.029

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Clarke AR, Barry RJ, Irving AM, McCarthy R, Selikowitz M (2011) Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autistic features: EEG evidence for comorbid disorders. Psychiatry Res 185(1–2):225–231. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2009.09.004

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Segalowitz SJ, Santesso DL, Jetha MK (2010) Electrophysiological changes during adolescence: a review. Brain Cogn 72(1):86–100. doi:10.1016/j.bandc.2009.10.003

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Bink M, Popma A, Bongers IL, van Boxtel GJM, Denissen A, van Nieuwenhuizen C (2013) Cardiac reactivity and stimulant use in adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders with comorbid ADHD versus ADHD. J Autism Dev Disord. doi:10.1007/s10803-013-1929-1

    Google Scholar 

  33. Kooij JJS (2002) ADHD bij volwassenen. Inleiding bij diagnostiek en behandeling [ADHD in adults. Introduction to diagnosis and treatment (in Dutch, 1st. ed.)], 1st edn edn. Swets and Zeitlinger, Lisse

    Google Scholar 

  34. Sheehan DV, Lecrubier Y, Sheehan KH, Janavs J, Weiller E, Keskiner A, Schinka J, Knapp E, Sheehan MF, Dunbar GC (1997) The validity of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) according to the SCID-P and its reliability. Eur Psychiatry 12(5):232–241

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Sheehan DV, Lecrubier Y, Sheehan KH, Amorim P, Janavs J, Weiller E, Hergueta T, Baker R, Dunbar GC (1998) The Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.): the development and validation of a structured diagnostic psychiatric interview for DSM-IV and ICD-10. J Clin Psychiatry 59(20):22–33 (quiz 34–57)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Vink M, Van Wamel A (2007) Landelijk basisprogramma ADHD bij kinderen en jeugdigen [Dutch basic ADHD program for children and adolescents (in Dutch)]. Trimbos-instituut, Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction, Utrecht

    Google Scholar 

  37. Kooij JJS, Buitelaar JK, van den Oord EJ, Furer JW, Rijnders CA, Hodiamont PP (2005) Internal and external validity of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in a population-based sample of adults. Psychol Med 35(6):817–827

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Kooij JJS, Boonstra AM, Swinkels SHN, Bekker EM, Noord Id, Buitelaar JK (2008) Reliability, validity, and utility of instruments for self-report and informant report concerning symptoms of ADHD in adult patients. J Atten Disord 11(4):445–458. doi:10.1177/1087054707299367

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. DuPaul GJ, Anastopoulos AD, Power TJ, Reid R, Ikeda MJ, McGoey KE (1998) Parent ratings of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms: factor structure and normative data. J Psychopathol Behav Assess 20(1):83–102

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Baron-Cohen S, Hoekstra RA, Knickmeyer R, Wheelwright S (2006) The Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ)–adolescent version. J Autism Dev Disord 36(3):343–350. doi:10.1007/s10803-006-0073-6

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Baron-Cohen S, Wheelwright S, Skinner R, Martin J, Clubley E (2001) The autism-spectrum quotient (AQ): evidence from Asperger syndrome/high-functioning autism, males and females, scientists and mathematicians. J Autism Dev Disord 31(1):5–17

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Achenbach TM (1991) Integrative guide for the 1991 CBCL/4-18, YSR and TRF profiles. University of Vermont Department of Psychiatry, Burlington

    Google Scholar 

  43. Wechsler D (1991) Wechsler intelligence scale for children, 3rd edn. The Psychological Corporation, San Antonio

    Google Scholar 

  44. Wechsler D (1997) Wechsler adult intelligence scale, 3rd edn. The Psychological Corporation, San Antonio

    Google Scholar 

  45. Brickenkamp R (2007) d2 Aandachts- en concentratietest [d2 Test of Attention (in Dutch)]. Hogrefe, Amsterdam

    Google Scholar 

  46. Bates ME, Lemay EP Jr (2004) The d2 Test of attention: construct validity and extensions in scoring techniques. J Int Neuropsychol Soc 10(3):392–400. doi:10.1017/S135561770410307X

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Gratton G, Coles MG, Donchin E (1983) A new method for off-line removal of ocular artifact. Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol 55(4):468–484

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Vasey MW, Thayer JF (1987) The continuing problem of false positives in repeated measures ANOVA in psychophysiology: a multivariate solution. Psychophysiology 24(4):479–486

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Billeci L, Sicca F, Maharatna K, Apicella F, Narzisi A, Campatelli G, Calderoni S, Pioggia G, Muratori F (2013) On the application of quantitative EEG for characterizing autistic brain: a systematic review. Front Hum Neurosci 7:442. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2013.00442

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Gomot M, Wicker B (2012) A challenging, unpredictable world for people with autism spectrum disorder. Int J Psychophysiol 83(2):240–247. doi:10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2011.09.017

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Sauseng P, Hoppe J, Klimesch W, Gerloff C, Hummel FC (2007) Dissociation of sustained attention from central executive functions: local activity and interregional connectivity in the theta range. Eur J Neurosci 25(2):587–593. doi:10.1111/j.1460-9568.2006.05286.x

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Sauseng P, Griesmayr B, Freunberger R, Klimesch W (2010) Control mechanisms in working memory: a possible function of EEG theta oscillations. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 34(7):1015–1022. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2009.12.006

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. Yordanova J, Kolev V (1998) Single-sweep analysis of the theta frequency band during an auditory oddball task. Psychophysiology 35(1):116–126

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Polich J, Herbst KL (2000) P300 as a clinical assay: rationale, evaluation, and findings. Int J Psychophysiol Off J Int Org Psychophysiol 38(1):3–19

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. Yordanova J, Heinrich H, Kolev V, Rothenberger A (2006) Increased event-related theta activity as a psychophysiological marker of comorbidity in children with tics and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders. Neuroimage 32(2):940–955. doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2006.03.056

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Loo SK, Hopfer C, Teale PD, Reite ML (2004) EEG correlates of methylphenidate response in ADHD: association with cognitive and behavioral measures. J Clin Neurophysiol 21(6):457–464

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. McCarthy S, Wilton L, Murray ML, Hodgkins P, Asherson P, Wong IC (2012) Persistence of pharmacological treatment into adulthood, in UK primary care, for ADHD patients who started treatment in childhood or adolescence. BMC Psychiatry 12:219. doi:10.1186/1471-244X-12-219

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Zetterqvist J, Asherson P, Halldner L, Langstrom N, Larsson H (2013) Stimulant and non-stimulant attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder drug use: total population study of trends and discontinuation patterns 2006–2009. Acta Psychiatr Scand 128(1):70–77. doi:10.1111/acps.12004

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  59. Hermens DF, Soei EX, Clarke SD, Kohn MR, Gordon E, Williams LM (2005) Resting EEG theta activity predicts cognitive performance in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Pediatr Neurol 32(4):248–256. doi:10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2004.11.009

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. Vazquez Marrufo M, Vaquero E, Cardoso MJ, Gomez CM (2001) Temporal evolution of alpha and beta bands during visual spatial attention. Brain Res Cogn Brain Res 12(2):315–320

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  61. Lord C, Rutter M, Le Couteur A (1994) Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised: a revised version of a diagnostic interview for caregivers of individuals with possible pervasive developmental disorders. J Autism Dev Disord 24(5):659–685

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  62. Lord C, Rutter M, Goode S, Heemsbergen J, Jordan H, Mawhood L, Schopler E (1989) Autism diagnostic observation schedule: a standardized observation of communicative and social behavior. J Autism Dev Disord 19(2):185–212

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  63. Mazaheri A, Fassbender C, Coffey-Corina S, Hartanto TA, Schweitzer JB, Mangun GR (2013) Differential Oscillatory electroencephalogram between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder subtypes and typically developing adolescents. Biol Psychiatry. doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2013.08.023

    Google Scholar 

  64. Willcutt EG, Nigg JT, Pennington BF, Solanto MV, Rohde LA, Tannock R, Loo SK, Carlson CL, McBurnett K, Lahey BB (2012) Validity of DSM-IV attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptom dimensions and subtypes. J Abnorm Psychol 121(4):991–1010. doi:10.1037/a0027347

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Carlijn Berghout, MD; Thomas Widdershoven, MSc; Marilyn Peeters, MSc; and the students for their valuable support, as well as all participating adolescents and families for their contribution and perseverance. Furthermore, we would like to thank the participating centers of child and adolescent psychiatry: GGzE, GGz Breburg, and the Reinier van Arkel group. This trial is funded by The Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development (ZonMw): 157 002 004. This trial is registered in the Dutch trial register (Ref. no: NTR1759 http://www.trialregister.nl/trialreg/admin/rctview.asp?TC=1759).

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Scientific Center for Care and Welfare (Tranzo), Tilburg University, PO Box 90153 (T425), 5000 LE, Tilburg, The Netherlands

    M. Bink & Ch van Nieuwenhuizen

  2. Department of Psychology, Tilburg University, PO Box 90153 (P607), 5000 LE, Tilburg, The Netherlands

    G. J. M. van Boxtel

  3. VUmc/De Bascule, Academic Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, PO Box303, 1115 ZG, Duivendrecht, The Netherlands

    A. Popma

  4. GGzE Center for child and adolescent psychiatry, PO Box 909 (DP 8001), 5600 AX, Eindhoven, The Netherlands

    I. L. Bongers & Ch van Nieuwenhuizen

  5. Philips Research, Brain, Body, and Behavior Group, High Tech Campus 34 Room 4.42, 5656 AE, Eindhoven, The Netherlands

    A. J. M. Denissen

  6. Department of Clinical Neuropsychology, VU University Amsterdam, Van der Boechorststraat 1, room 1E-33, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    M. Bink

Authors
  1. M. Bink
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. G. J. M. van Boxtel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. A. Popma
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. I. L. Bongers
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. A. J. M. Denissen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Ch van Nieuwenhuizen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. Bink.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Bink, M., van Boxtel, G.J.M., Popma, A. et al. EEG theta and beta power spectra in adolescents with ADHD versus adolescents with ASD + ADHD. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 24, 873–886 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-014-0632-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-014-0632-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation