Atypical alpha asymmetry in adults with ADHD

Abstract

Introduction: A growing body of literature suggests atypical cerebral asymmetry and interhemispheric interaction in ADHD. A common means of assessing lateralized brain function in clinical populations has been to examine the relative proportion of EEG alpha activity (8-12 Hz) in each hemisphere (i.e., alpha asymmetry). Increased rightward alpha asymmetry has been associated with ADHD-like traits such as reduced reward responsiveness, a lack of inhibition toward aversive experience, and increased approach behaviors, and previous work has indicated increased rightward alpha asymmetry in children with ADHD. The current study explores whether increased rightward alpha asymmetry is also evident in adults with ADHD.

Method: We assessed low (8-10 Hz) and high (10-12 Hz) alpha asymmetry in adults with ADHD (n=29) versus controls (n=62) during baseline and cognitive activation conditions for nine homologous electrode pairs along the anterior-posterior axis.

Result: Seven results emerged (p<.05) showing increased rightward alpha asymmetry in adults with ADHD. This occurred in three specific electrode pairs across two testing conditions, and five of six results occurred in the lower alpha band. Finally, post hoc analysis indicated that increased rightward alpha asymmetry was generally associated with greater numbers of ADHD symptoms--with a possible parietal association for inattentive and a fronto-temporal association for hyperactivity symptoms.

Conclusions: Increased rightward alpha asymmetry previously observed in children with ADHD appears to be a developmentally persistent feature of ADHD.

Fig. 1

Alpha asymmetry in adults with ADHD versus controls during the Continuous Performance Task. Caption: circles = mean asymmetry scores for ADHD group; squares = mean asymmetry scores for control group; LI = laterality index; note: ADHD group shows increased rightward alpha asymmetry at three laterality indices with group differences occurring for both high and low alpha at FT8-FT7.

Fig. 2

Alpha asymmetry in adults with ADHD versus controls during the eyes-closed condition. Caption: circles = mean asymmetry scores for ADHD group; squares = mean asymmetry scores for control group; LI = laterality index; note: ADHD group shows increased rightward alpha asymmetry at two laterality indices with group differences occurring for both high and low alpha at P4-P3.