Like any prescription medications, these drugs come with the potential for side effects, such as psychiatric issues and heart problems.
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Physicians frequently prescribe stimulants, including amphetamines (e.g., Adderall) or methylphenidates (e.g, Concerta, Ritalin). Standard ADHD treatment involves counseling and behavioral therapy, often in combination with medication. Nonetheless there exists a great desire for tools that enhance the precision of diagnosis, and research in this field is ongoing. On the whole, the use of EEG to diagnose ADHD remains controversial. Some researchers have suggested that the brains of individuals with ADHD show ERP differences when performing such tasks. In the milliseconds following such a challenge, EEG can detect task-related changes in the brain, known as event-related potentials (ERPs). For example, researchers may look at how the brain behaves as subjects perform a basic cognitive task, such as identifying the number 6 amid a sea of 9s. Whereas approaches like the NEBA system evaluate general brain functioning, other techniques assess how the brain responds to particular events. Importantly, the researchers did not find a meaningful difference in TBR among adults with ADHD. Though the researchers found some differences in both theta and alpha wave activity among adults with ADHD, they deemed these findings inadequately consistent to use as a diagnostic metric. Seeking to investigate the usefulness of EEG for diagnosing adults, a research group recently conducted a meta-analysis of 21 studies on this topic. Historically, the bulk of TBR research focused on childhood ADHD. ( Stein 2016) Still, many experts question the accuracy of diagnosis using NEBA others recognize its potential, but caution that EEG alone cannot definitively diagnose ADHD. ( Arns 2012) Under the name Neuropsychiatric EEG-Based Assessment Aid (NEBA) System, this technique is FDA approved for use in the diagnosis of adolescent ADHD. This method derives from the view that individuals with ADHD have a relatively high theta-beta ratio (TBR). One of the better-known techniques uses EEG to assess the ratio of slow brain waves, called theta waves, to fast ones, called beta waves. While EEG tests for ADHD remain controversial, researchers have proposed several strategies for incorporating the technology into diagnosis. EEG presents a promising means by which to do so because the technique is relatively affordable, fast, and noninvasive. ( Smith 2005) In addition to these conventional uses, researchers are now exploring the potential of EEG to augment the diagnosis of certain psychiatric conditions, including ADHD.ĭue to the subjective nature of clinical interviews, doctors and researchers have long sought a way to enhance diagnosis of ADHD via an objective assessment of the brain. ( Abhang 2016)īecause EEG records brain activity in real time, the technique can be useful in diagnosing certain neurological conditions, such as epilepsy and sleep disorders, or for identifying the presence of a brain tumor. Brain wave categories include: delta waves (0.5-4 hz), alpha waves (8-12 hz), beta waves (12-35 hz), theta waves (40-8hz), and gamma (32-100 hz) waves. Often referred to as “brain waves,” these ripples are measured in hertz, or cycles per second, and are classified according to their frequency.
#EEG TEST SIDE EFFECTS SERIES#
On the right, a child wearing wearable and dry-EEG ( Bitbrain Diadem).ĮEG charts comprise a series of wavy lines, which represent rising and falling voltages within different groups of neurons. Image 2: On the left, a child wearing semi-dry water-based EEG cap ( Bitbrain Versatile EEG 32).
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( CDC 2021) Though research shows that ADHD is driven partially by genetic factors, the underlying causes of the condition have not been fully characterized. Early symptoms may include forgetfulness, excessive fidgeting, difficulty taking turns, or carelessness.
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A neurodevelopmental disorder, ADHD typically emerges in childhood and can manifest in a variety of forms.