Measurement of the theta/beta ratio with the quantified electroencephalogram in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorders

Theta-Beta (T / B) ratio of the quantified electroencephalogram (EEGQ) in patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) constitutes a characteristic EEG variable of the primary disorder with an overall accuracy of 89%. The objective of this study was to measure the T/B ratio in a sample of patients with ADHD and the effects of the treatment with psychostimulants and non-psychostimulants on the T/B ratio. The sample consisted of 85 children between 6 and 18 years (68 males and 17 females) with the diagnosis of the inattentive and combined subtype of ADHD, according to the criteria of the DSM-V. An EEGQ was performed with measurement of the T/B ratio before and after 6 months of treatment with psychostimulant and non-psychostimulant drugs. Both groups were compared using the Wilcoxon signed range test for related samples. The results showed that 86% of the cases had a T/B ratio above the normal values for the age of them. The reduction in the T/B ratio was statistically significant in the group of patients treated with psychostimulants. The reduction of non-psychostimulants was not significant. In conclusion, we confirmed the high T/B ratio in patients with ADHD. Psychostimulant drugs decrease the elevated T/B ratio in patients with ADHD after 6 months of treatment.