Functional connectivity of frontal cortex in healthy and adhd children reflected in EEG coherence

Michael Andrew Murias*, James M. Swanson, Ramesh Srinivasan

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

150 Scopus citations

Abstract

Abnormal functional brain connectivity is a candidate factor in developmental brain disorders associated with cognitive dysfunction. We analyzed a substantial (10 min per subject) record of dense array electroencephalography with spectral power and coherence methods in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (n = 42) and control (n = 21) 10- to 13-year-old children. We found topographically distinct narrow band coherence differences between subject groups: ADHD subjects showed elevated coherence in the lower alpha (8 Hz) band and reduced coherence in the upper alpha (10-11 Hz) band. The 8-Hz ADHD elevation and a 2- to 6-Hz control group coherence elevation were independent of stimulus presentation. In response to visual stimulation, the ADHD group exhibited reduced evoked potential power and elevated frontal coherence. Only the upper alpha band control group coherence elevation discriminated according to ADHD group medication status. The findings suggest a static state of deficient connectivity in ADHD and a stimulus-induced state of overconnectivity within and between frontal hemispheres.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1788-1799
Number of pages12
JournalCerebral Cortex
Volume17
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2007

Funding

This research was supported in part by the University of California, Irvine, Department of Cognitive Sciences and by the National Institute of Mental Health, Grant R01-MH068004. Thanks to Greg Owen for graphical assistance and to Bruce Berg, Geraldine Dawson, and anonymous reviewers for critiques of earlier drafts. Conflict of Interest: None declared. Address correspondence to email: [email protected].

Keywords

  • Alpha rhythm
  • Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder
  • Induced rhythms
  • Pediatric EEG
  • Synchrony

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
  • Cognitive Neuroscience

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