High-resolution brain SPECT imaging in ADHD

Ann Clin Psychiatry. 1997 Jun;9(2):81-6. doi: 10.1023/a:1026201218296.

Abstract

Children and adolescents with ADHD were evaluated with high-resolution brain SPECT imaging to determine if there were similarities between reported PET and QEEG findings. Fifty-four children and adolescents with ADHD by DSM-III-R and Conners Rating Scale criteria were evaluated. A non-ADHD control group was also studied with SPECT. Two brain SPECT studies were done on each group, a resting study and an intellectual stress study done while participants were doing a concentration task. Sixty-fiver percent of the ADHD group revealed decreased perfusion in the prefrontal cortex with intellectual stress, compared to only 5% of the control group. These are findings consistent with PET and QEEG findings. Of the ADHD group who did not show decreased perfusion, two-thirds had markedly decreased activity in the prefrontal cortices at rest.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / diagnostic imaging*
  • Brain / diagnostic imaging*
  • Child
  • Electroencephalography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon*