Investigation of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder assessment using electro interstitial scan based on chronoamperometry technique

Abstract

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopment disorder which causes inattention, hyperactivity, or impulsivity, that directly leads to the learning disability. The conventional ADHD assessment method such as behavioural rating scale requires long term behavior observation and subjective interpretation which may lead to misleading result. Over the past decades, there have been exponential growth in the research in biomedical engineering perspective such as Electroencephalograph (EEG), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and electrodermal responding to identify accurate and objective measurements in ADHD assessment. Nevertheless, a clear definitive picture which link neuropsychological, behavioral, and neurophysiological research has yet to develop. The purpose of this study is to investigate ADHD in children aged from 7 to 14 years old at primary schools in Malaysia using Electro Interstitial Scan (EIS) technology which based on chronoamperometry technique. There are total of 182 children data have been collected, which consist of 58 ADHD children (study group) and 124 healthy children (control group). All subjects will undergo EIS measurement and the SPSS statistical analysis was conducted on the primary and secondary EIS parameters to identify significant level in differentiating ADHD and non-ADHD children. The statistical analysis result shows that EIS system reflects significant difference between control group and study group for both primary parameters (EIS channels 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17 and 18) and secondary parameters (brain and neurotransmitter related parameters) (p < 0.05). This study concludes that EIS system has good potential in providing a new measurable marker to complement the conventional assessment of ADHD as confirmatory decision support system.