Visual Evoked Potentials and Clinical Progress in ADHD: A Three-Month Follow-Up Study
Abstract
Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of a 3-month treatment intervention in children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and to investigate the potential of Visual Evoked Potentials (VEP) as objective neurophysiological biomarkers for monitoring treatment response. Materials and Methods: Twenty-two children (aged 6-12 years) newly diagnosed with ADHD according to DSM-5 criteria were included. Clinical symptoms were assessed at baseline and after 3 months of treatment using the Conners’ Parent Rating Scale, Conners’ Teacher Rating Scale, and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Neurophysiological assessment was performed using VEP to measure N75, P100, and N145 latencies and amplitudes. The relationship between changes in clinical scores and VEP parameters was analyzed. Results: Post-treatment scores showed significant improvements across all clinical scales (p < 0.05). While mean VEP latencies did not show a statistically significant change at the group level (p > 0.05), a significant correlation was found between clinical recovery and the shortening of P100 latency in the right eye (r=-0.549, p=0.008). Although the relationship between the change in left eye P100 latency and clinical recovery did not reach statistical significance, it demonstrated a similar trend to that of the right eye (r=-0.392, p=0.088). Conclusion: Although 3 months of treatment may be insufficient to induce significant group-level neurophysiological shifts, the correlation between clinical improvement and P100 latency shortening suggests that VEP parameters may serve as individualized biomarkers for monitoring treatment response. These findings underscore the potential of integrating objective electrophysiological measures with behavioral assessments to enhance personalized management in ADHD.
Keywords
ADHD, Visual Evoked Potentials, P100 latency, Treatment monitoring, Biomarkers
Supporting Institution
Ethical Statement
Thanks
References
- Drechsler R, Brem S, Brandeis D, et al. ADHD: Current Concepts and Treatments in Children and Adolescents. Neuropediatrics 2020;51(5):315-35.
- Association AP. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Fifth Edition, Text Revision ed2022.
- Cortese S. Pharmacologic Treatment of Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder. N Engl J Med 2020;383(11):1050-6.
- Van Vyve L, Dierckx B, Lim CG, et al. Pharmacotherapy for ADHD in children and adolescents: A summary and overview of different European guidelines. Eur J Pediatr 2024;183(3):1047-56.
- Silberstein RB, Levy F, Pipingas A, et al. First-Dose Methylphenidate-Induced Changes in Brain Functional Connectivity Are Correlated With 3-Month Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptom Response. Biol Psychiatry 2017;82(9):679-86.
- Dutra TG, Baltar A, Monte-Silva KK. Motor cortex excitability in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): A systematic review and meta-analysis. Res Dev Disabil 2016;56:1-9.
- Peisch V, Rutter T, Wilkinson CL, et al. Sensory processing and P300 event-related potential correlates of stimulant response in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A critical review. Clin Neurophysiol 2021;132(4):953-66.
- Luck SJ, Woodman GF, Vogel EK. Event-related potential studies of attention. Trends Cogn Sci 2000;4(11):432-40.
- Kim S, Banaschewski T, Tannock R. Color vision in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a pilot visual evoked potential study. J Optom 2015;8(2):116-30.
- Papp S, Tombor L, Kakuszi B, et al. Impaired early information processing in adult ADHD: a high-density ERP study. BMC Psychiatry 2020;20(1):292.