Analysis of Event Related Potentials P_3 Wave of Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Objective To investigate the cognitive functions of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD),and explore the application of event related potentials(ERP) in ADHD children and the correlation of ERP P3 wave with age.Methods Seventy-eight cases of ADHD children(ADHD group) and 78 cases of healthy children(healthy control group) were divided into 3 groups according to age,including 6.50-8.40 group,8.50-10.40 group and 10.50-12.50 group.All subjects were examined with auditory event related potentials P3 wave test.Data were analyzed by student t test and Bivariate analyze methods.Results 1.Compared to age-matched healthy controls,ADHD groups did not show differences in the amplitude of the P3 wave,however,the ADHD group had significantly longer latency of P3 wave in all 3 age groups(Pa0.01).2.Children with ADHD had significantly lower rate of stimulated target hitting and higher frequency of false hitting than those of age-matched healthy control groups(Pa0.01).3.In both groups,the latency of P3 wave showed a significantly negative correlation with age(r=-0.448 1,-0.570 4,Pa0.001),while amplitudes had positive correlation with age(r=0.269 7,0.317 6,Pa0.05).4.The latency and amplitude of P3 wave in the central gyrus of the left hemisphere(Cz1) in ADHD children and healthy control group were not significantly different from those in the right hemosphere(Cz2)(Pa0.05).Conclusions ADHD children have significant deficits in cognitive functions and in the ability of excluding disturbance compared with healthy children.The ERP P3 wave test is an useful method to evaluate cognitive deficits in the clinic.It can be used to assistant ADHD diagnosis,evaluate treatment efficiency and prognosis.When using this test to evaluate children with ADHD,age must be considered.