The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the first brain wave test that could help diagnose children and teens with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHA).
As part of a complete psychological examination to either help diagnose ADHD or give reason for a doctor to decide that more testing is needed, the device has been given the green light for patients between the ages of 6 and 17.
Chief of development & behavioral pediatrics, Dr. Andrew Adesman says “For clinicians and researchers interested in ADHD, an objective diagnostic test that is accurate, sensitive and specific has been one of the ‘holy grails’ which has long been sought.” However Adesman adds that there is doubt this newly approved EEG test will be as accurate and clinicians and families want.
The fate of the device, made by NEBA Health of Augusta, GA., remains to be seen, however the system is already being used to monitor sleep issues, measure unconsciousness, diagnose side effects from head injuries and monitor the brain during surgery.
Director of the Office of Device Evaluation at the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological health, Christy Foreman says “Diagnosing ADHD is a multistep process based on a complete medical and psychiatric exam. The NEBA system may help determine if ADHD is the cause of a behavioral problem.”
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