A Signature of Attention-Elicited Electrocortical Activity Distinguishes Response From Non-Response to the Non-Stimulant Atomoxetine in Children and Adolescents With ADHD. Issue 7 (May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Griffiths, Kristi R.; Jurigova, Barbora G.; Leikauf, John E.; Palmer, Donna; Clarke, Simon D.; Tsang, Tracey W.; Teber, Erdahl T.; Kohn, Michael R.; Williams, Leanne M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of attention disorders. Volume 23:Issue 7(2019)
• Page Start: 744
• Page End: 753
• Publication Date: 2019-05
• Subjects: ADHD -- atomoxetine -- event-related potentials -- N200 -- P300; Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder -- Periodicals; Attention -- Periodicals; 616.8589
• DOI: 10.1177/1087054717733044
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1087-0547

Abstract

Objective: Atomoxetine has several characteristics that make it an attractive alternative to stimulants for treating ADHD, but there are currently no tests identifying individuals for whom the medication should be a first-line option.Method: Within the ADHD Controlled Trial Investigation Of a Non-stimulant (ACTION) study, we examined neuro-cortical activity in 52 youth with ADHD. Baseline event-related potentials (ERP) were compared between those who subsequently responded to 6 weeks of atomoxetine versus those who did not.Results: Responders were distinguished by significantly lower auditory oddball N2 amplitudes than both non-responders and typically developing controls, particularly in the right frontocentral region ( p = .002, Cohen's d = 1.1). Leave-one-out cross validation determined that N2 amplitude in this region was able to accurately predict non-responders with a specificity of 80.8%. There were no P3 differences between responders and non-responders.Conclusion: The N2 amplitude is a biomarker that may have utility in predicting response to atomoxetine for youth with ADHD.