OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the basis of a theoretical position which has major impact in the current literature on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) - that the ratio of theta to beta power in the EEG (the theta/beta ratio) represents central nervous system (CNS) arousal. METHODS: Resting state topographic EEG activity was investigated as a function of CNS arousal in normal right-handed boys. Arousal was defined in terms of electrodermal activity, which has a long history in Psychology as a measure of CNS arousal. RESULTS: Relative delta, theta, and beta power, and the theta/beta ratio, failed to differ significantly between age-matched groups which differed markedly in skin conductance level and non-specific electrodermal fluctuations. The high-arousal group showed significantly lower levels of relative alpha power, particularly in posterior and hemispheric regions, with higher alpha frequencies in these areas. CONCLUSIONS: These data fail to support the theoretical linkage between the theta/beta ratio and CNS arousal. Further work is needed to disentangle the different correlates of arousal and task-related activation, particularly in cognitive and attentional-processing terms. SIGNIFICANCE: The outcomes of this study, in addition to clarifying the nature of EEG markers of CNS arousal, have important implications for our understanding of AD/HD, as they require re-evaluation of current models of the disorder.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the basis of a theoretical position which has major impact in the current literature on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) - that the ratio of theta to beta power in the EEG (the theta/beta ratio) represents central nervous system (CNS) arousal. METHODS: Resting state topographic EEG activity was investigated as a function of CNS arousal in normal right-handed boys. Arousal was defined in terms of electrodermal activity, which has a long history in Psychology as a measure of CNS arousal. RESULTS: Relative delta, theta, and beta power, and the theta/beta ratio, failed to differ significantly between age-matched groups which differed markedly in skin conductance level and non-specific electrodermal fluctuations. The high-arousal group showed significantly lower levels of relative alpha power, particularly in posterior and hemispheric regions, with higher alpha frequencies in these areas. CONCLUSIONS: These data fail to support the theoretical linkage between the theta/beta ratio and CNS arousal. Further work is needed to disentangle the different correlates of arousal and task-related activation, particularly in cognitive and attentional-processing terms. SIGNIFICANCE: The outcomes of this study, in addition to clarifying the nature of EEG markers of CNS arousal, have important implications for our understanding of AD/HD, as they require re-evaluation of current models of the disorder.
Authors: Carlie A Lawrence; Robert J Barry; Adam R Clarke; Stuart J Johnstone; Rory McCarthy; Mark Selikowitz; Samantha J Broyd Journal: Psychopharmacology (Berl) Date: 2005-10-22 Impact factor: 4.530
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Authors: Sandra K Loo; T Sigi Hale; James Macion; Grant Hanada; James J McGough; James T McCracken; Susan L Smalley Journal: Neuropsychologia Date: 2009-04-22 Impact factor: 3.139
Authors: Lisa E Mash; Brandon Keehn; Annika C Linke; Thomas T Liu; Jonathan L Helm; Frank Haist; Jeanne Townsend; Ralph-Axel Müller Journal: Brain Connect Date: 2020-02
Authors: David Heister; Mithun Diwakar; Sharon Nichols; Ashley Robb; Anne Marie Angeles; Omer Tal; Deborah L Harrington; Tao Song; Roland R Lee; Mingxiong Huang Journal: PLoS One Date: 2013-06-25 Impact factor: 3.240