Somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) and tactile function were tested in 49 ADHD children and 49 controls at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel. Six sensory integration and praxis tests were used to examine suprathreshold tactile perception. These included finger identification, graphesthesia, localization of tactile stimuli, manual form perception, and kinesthesia. ADHD children performed poorly on these suprathreshold somatosensory tests but within normal limits on a smooth vs rough texture discrimination threshold task. The SEP central components were larger in amplitude in ADHD children compared to controls, which supports the theory of cortical neuronal hyperactivity in ADHD. [1]
COMMENT. Somatosensory functioning is impaired in ADHD, lending credence to the Ayres sensory integration therapies. Testing for cortical sensory function is included in the pediatric neurology evaluation of children with ADHD.