(PS11-B26) Frontal Lobe Activation in 9-year-old Children Predicts ADHD Symptoms in Adolescence

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most prominent disorders diagnosed in children. Children with ADHD have lower frontal EEG power (Hermens et al., 2005) and have difficulties with tasks requiring attentional control, orienting, and alerting (Johnson et al., 2008). The purpose of this study is to determine if frontal lobe electroencephalogram (EEG) activation in 9-year-old children longitudinally predicts symptoms of ADHD in adolescence. EEG is a measure of cortical activity and task related changes in EEG power represent neural activation in response to cognitive tasks. Specifically in this study, we examined frontal lobe activation (F3 and F4) using EEG during an attentional control task at age 9 to predict ADHD symptoms in adolescents with an average age of 14.

As part of a longitudinal study, 151 9-year-old children attended a laboratory session to complete a cognitive battery while collecting simultaneous EEG. At the beginning of the session, a resting measure of EEG was recorded as the child watched a vanilla baseline nature video. Children completed the attentional network control task while simultaneous EEG was collected (ANT; Posner & Rothbart, 2007). Change in EEG power was calculated by subtracting baseline power from average task power in the theta frequency band (3-7 hz). EEG power was then averaged across the F3 and F4 electrodes. At an average age of 14, parents completed the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and answered questions relating to ADHD symptomology. Higher scores on this scale indicate more problem behaviors. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine how change in frontal activation between the baseline and tasks predicted ADHD symptomology, controlling for sex.

            Change in frontal EEG power when averaged across the F3 and F4 electrodes at age 9, was positively associated with ADHD symptoms in adolescence. A multiple regression analysis showed that change in frontal EEG at age 9 predicted ADHD symptoms at an average age of 14 (beta = .21, p = .030). The overall model was significant (R² = .06, p = .046).

            Understanding the neural etiology of ADHD may help in diagnosis and treatment of ADHD, allowing early intervention and better life outcomes. Additionally, understanding the neural patterns involved in attention may allow for biofeedback to help children learn to focus and improve ADHD symptoms.