Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) causes symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsiveness that are so severe that they interfere with the activities of daily living. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention there is no single test that confirms the diagnosis of ADHD. Several screening tests can aid parents, teachers and health care providers in arriving at the diagnosis of ADHD.
Behavioral Checklist
The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that behavioral observations from physicians, parents, family members and teachers are the most reliable form of screening tests for ADHD. Behavioral checklists contain a list of ADHD symptoms from the Diagnostic Manual (DSM-IV) of the American Psychiatric Association. The utility of behavioral checklist is limited, according to Dr. S. M. Snyder who reported in the June 2008 "Psychiatry Research" that behavioral rating scales correctly identified people with ADHD only 58 percent of the time.
Quantitative Electroencephalography (QEEG)
Some researchers believe that a more quantitative approach is necessary for the diagnosis of ADHD. Measuring brain wave patterns using quantitative electroencephalography is one of the techniques that have been used to diagnose ADHD. A QEEG is performed by attaching probes to the scalp and using an electroencephalograph monitor to measure brain waves. In the October 2008 "Current Psychiatry Report," Dr. V.J. Monastra reports that QEEG techniques have identified abnormal patterns of cortical activity that may serve as a basis for diagnosing ADHD.
Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (FNIS)
Functional near-infrared spectroscopy is a screening test that measures oxygen levels in the brain during task performance. An infrared light device is placed over the scalp and measurements are taken of the levels of oxygenation in different portions of the brain. Dr. H. Negoro in the "Child Psychiatry and Human Development" journal reports that FNIS can accurately diagnose ADHD by detecting imbalances in brain oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin in the pre-frontal cortex during attention tasks.
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)
The symptoms of patients with ADHD are caused by changes in the brain regions that control attention and activity. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a diagnostic imaging study that uses a magnetic field to produce pictures of the brain during task performance. Using fMRIs, researchers have been able to map out the areas of the brain that cause the symptoms of ADHD, says Dr. M.V. Cherkasova in the October 2009, "Canadian Journal of Psychiatry." Dr. V. J. Monastra reports in the October 2008 "Current Psychiatry Report" that neuroimaging studies such as fMRI will help us diagnose ADHD.
Motion and Attention Test
Motion and attention test are computerized diagnostic tools that measure inattention, impulsive behavior and hyperactivity. Computer tasks are performed while an infrared motion tracking system monitors levels of activity, response time and attention. According to Dr. S. Lis in the February 2010 "Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica," motion and attention test can accurately detect abnormalities in activity and cognitive performance in individuals with ADHD.
Complete Medical Evaluation
A complete medical evaluation should be performed before a diagnosis of ADHD is confirmed. Medical conditions such as thyroid disease, lead poisoning, nutritional deficiencies, and neurological problems, psychological problems, learning disorders, mental retardation, vision problems and auditory problems can mimic and co-exist with the symptoms of ADHD. A complete medical exam will include thyroid testing, lead screening, anemia, motor skill and coordination testing, IQ testing, psychological evaluation, vision and auditory testing, and a complete neurological examination.
References
- "Canadian Journal of Psychiatry"; Neuroimaging in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: beyond the frontostriatal circuitry; Cherkasova MV, Hechtman L.; October 2009
- "Current Psychiatry Report; Quantitative electroencephalography and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: implications for clinical practice; Monastra VJ.; October 2008
- "Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica"; Objective measurement of motor activity during cognitive performance in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; Lis S, Baer N, Stein-En-Nosse C, Gallhofer B, Sammer G, Kirsch P.; February 2010
- "Child Psychiatry and Human Development"; Prefrontal dysfunction in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder as measured by near-infrared spectroscopy; Negoro H, Sawada M, Iida J, Ota T, Tanaka S, Kishimoto T.; April 2010
