An Electroencephalography Study of Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and its Association with Insomnia.

BACKGROUND

The present study aimed to find the electroencephalography (EEG) characteristics of adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and to examine if these EEG indices are associated with insomnia in adult ADHD.

METHODS

Twenty-six participants were included in the adult ADHD group, and 26 sex-, age-, and education-matched participants formed the control group. Between-group differences in the resting-state EEG indices and the score of insomnia scale were assessed. Correlational analysis between these EEG indices and the score of insomnia scale was conducted.

RESULTS

The adult ADHD group had more insomnia problems and showed increased power over 4 frequency bands at electrodes frontal area, Cz, and Pz, except for alpha band at electrode frontal area. Furthermore, some EEG indices, especially over fast frequency bands, are associated with the score of insomnia scale.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study reveal that adult ADHD shows a distinct EEG pattern during the resting state. The correlation between the EEG indices over fast frequency bands in adult ADHD and the score of the insomnia scale may explain the high prevalence of insomnia in adult ADHD.