Abstract
Greater intra-subject variability (ISV) in response time is a heritable endophenotype of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD). Spontaneous low frequency oscillations (LFO: 0.01–0.1 Hz) observed in brain functional magnetic resonance signals
might account for such behavioral variability. Recently, we demonstrated that ISV in response time (RT) explained ratings
of ADHD symptoms. Building on this finding, here we hypothesized that LFO in RT time series would explain these ratings, both
independently and in addition to RT coefficient of variation (CV). To measure RT LFO, we applied Morlet wavelet transform
to the previously collected RT data. Our community sample consisted of 98 children (including 66 boys, mean age 9.9 ± 1.4 years),
who completed four computer Tasks of Executive Control. Conners’ Parent Rating Scale ratings were obtained. RT LFO of three
tasks significantly explained ratings of inattention, hyperactivity and three global Conners’ subscales. In addition, RT LFO
during two tasks that included an inhibitory component increased the proportions of variance explained in subscales of both
inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity, beyond the effects of RT-CV. Three specific low frequency bands (Slow-5: 0.01–0.027 Hz;
Slow-4: 0.027–0.073 Hz; Slow-3: 0.073–0.20 Hz) were strongly related to the ADHD scales. We conclude that RT LFO predict dimensional
ratings of ADHD symptoms both independently and in addition to RTCV. Results suggest that frequency analyses are a suitable
methodology to link behavioral responses to putative underlying physiological processes.
(ADHD). Spontaneous low frequency oscillations (LFO: 0.01–0.1 Hz) observed in brain functional magnetic resonance signals
might account for such behavioral variability. Recently, we demonstrated that ISV in response time (RT) explained ratings
of ADHD symptoms. Building on this finding, here we hypothesized that LFO in RT time series would explain these ratings, both
independently and in addition to RT coefficient of variation (CV). To measure RT LFO, we applied Morlet wavelet transform
to the previously collected RT data. Our community sample consisted of 98 children (including 66 boys, mean age 9.9 ± 1.4 years),
who completed four computer Tasks of Executive Control. Conners’ Parent Rating Scale ratings were obtained. RT LFO of three
tasks significantly explained ratings of inattention, hyperactivity and three global Conners’ subscales. In addition, RT LFO
during two tasks that included an inhibitory component increased the proportions of variance explained in subscales of both
inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity, beyond the effects of RT-CV. Three specific low frequency bands (Slow-5: 0.01–0.027 Hz;
Slow-4: 0.027–0.073 Hz; Slow-3: 0.073–0.20 Hz) were strongly related to the ADHD scales. We conclude that RT LFO predict dimensional
ratings of ADHD symptoms both independently and in addition to RTCV. Results suggest that frequency analyses are a suitable
methodology to link behavioral responses to putative underlying physiological processes.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Contribution
- Pages 1-9
- DOI 10.1007/s00787-011-0237-6
- Authors
- María Ángeles Mairena, Phyllis Green and Randolph Cōwen Institute for Pediatric Neuroscience, NYU Child Study Center, 215 Lexington Avenue, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Adriana Di Martino, Phyllis Green and Randolph Cōwen Institute for Pediatric Neuroscience, NYU Child Study Center, 215 Lexington Avenue, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Cristina Domínguez-Martín, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid, Avenida Ramón y Cajal s/n, 47003 Valladolid, Spain
- Lorena Gómez-Guerrero, Unidad de Salud Mental Infanto Juvenil, Complejo Hospitalario de Ourense, Calle Ramón Puga, 54, 32005 Ciudad Orense, Spain
- Gerard Gioia, Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, George Washington University School of Medicine, 15245 Shady Grove Road, Suite 350, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
- Eva Petkova, Division of Biostatistics at the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, NYU Langone Medical Center, 215 Lexington Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10016, USA
- F. Xavier Castellanos, Phyllis Green and Randolph Cōwen Institute for Pediatric Neuroscience, NYU Child Study Center, 215 Lexington Avenue, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Journal European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
- Online ISSN 1435-165X
- Print ISSN 1018-8827