Abnormal brainstem auditory response in young females with ADHD

• We have examined the ABR of young females with ADHD.
• There are differences in ABR in young females with respect to ADHD.
• There are three statistically significant differences in ABR.
• Anatomically the differences are located in the Thalamic and Pontine areas.

Studies have shown that the auditory brainstem response (ABR) is often affected in neurodevelopmental disorders. The aim of this study is to investigate possible differences in ABR between young females with ADHD compared to control subjects. This study focuses on young females, age 7–17 with ADHD, comparing the ABR of 43 young females with ADHD to 21 age- and gender-matched control subjects. Young females with ADHD have a significantly different ABR in a region between cochlear nucleus and superior olivary complex as well as in the thalamic region compared to control subjects. These data indicate specific differences in ABR between girls with ADHD compared to female controls.