Brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs) were performed on 114 children with attention deficit disorder (ADD) referred to the Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel. The latencies of waves III and V and brainstem transmission time interval of waves I-III and I-V were longer in the study group compared to controls. Recordings of the latencies performed for each ear separately showed asymmetries of wave III in children with ADD. The results point to brainstem dysfunction in ADD. [1]

COMMENT. BAEP performed in children with ADD/ADHD during inactivity shows abnormalities and asymmetries that may be used as an objective diagnostic test for ADD. Previous studies have demonstrated the value of BAEP in the differentiation of subgroups of hyperactive children, non-delinquent versus delinquent types. (Satterfield JH et al. 1987; see Progress in Pediatric Neurology I, 1991, ppl59-160).

ADHD IN ADOLESCENT MANIA. An association between adolescent mania and ADHD is reported from the Department of Psychiatry, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine [2]. Of 14 adolescent bipolar patients who were admitted to hospital for the treatment of acute mania or hypomania, 8(57%) also met the DSM-III-R criteria for ADHD. Patients with ADHD had a higher mean total score on the Young Mania Rating Scale than patients with bipolar disorder alone. This finding may have important implications regarding pharmacological therapy.