Usefulness of Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) for evaluating drug effects and improvements in medication adherence in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Abstract

The symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness. Physicians often prescribe methylphenidate (MPH) for children with ADHD for long periods of time. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the usefulness of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for evaluating drug effects and improvements in medication adherence in children with ADHD. Subjects were 10 male children diagnosed with ADHD : average age, 9.3 years, and 10 boys with typical development : average age 9.5 years. Children with intellectual disability, autism, and obvious depressive symptoms were excluded. The present study revealed that in the ADHD group, oxy-Hb concentrations in the left and right lateral prefrontal cortex significantly increased during the execution of the Stroop color-word test in both channels when taking MPH. This method was considered to be useful for assessing drug effects on ADHD because NIRS is an objective indicator for evaluating ADHD executive dysfunction and visualizes the activation of frontal lobe function by MPH. A pediatric neurologist explained the results of NIRS while presenting images to the ADHD group, and medication adherence and the drug-taking ratio both markedly improved. Therefore, this therapeutic explanation is an effective strategy for improving medication compliance and adherence among patients.

Using fNIRS to evaluate ADHD medication effects on neuronal activity: A systematic literature review

“…With regards to timing, both atomoxetine studies took fNIRS measurements 1.5 h post medication intake. Two studies ( Schecklmann et al, 2011 ; Kawai et al, 2021 ) did not report the medication dosage.…”

Bilateral Prefrontal Cortex Blood Flow Dynamics during Silent and Oral Reading Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

“…The characteristics of NIRS include the following : 1) It is non-invasive and is widely used in studies of brain function from neonates to schoolchildren (6-10) ; 2) High temporal resolution measurements can be made every 0.1 second, and changes in brain function can be observed over time by measuring oxy-Hb concentration and other parameters (8, 10) ; 3) The device is small and portable, allowing testing at any location, such as the bedside ; 4) The device does not interfere much with the subject's behavior, allowing measurement to be taken in a position similar to that observed in daily life, and is quiet. These features allow for the evaluation of brain function in children and the conduct of clinical research to elucidate the pathology of various neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder, thus helping in the development of treatment methods (7,8,10).…”

“…Conversely, when brain activity decreases, the oxy-Hb concentration in the region likewise decreases. NIRS is minimally invasive and is widely used to study brain function from neonates to adults (6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11).…”