Investigative Objective Tests
Optical Tracking and Attention Test. OPTax (optical tracking and attention test) uses two approaches:
- A test that measures the child's ability to be on task. According to a small study, untreated children with ADHD score 41.6% on average, and children without ADHD score 82.4%. (Children who had been treated raised their scores to 75.4%.)
- A videotape that shows the child's head movements. Children with ADHD typically have movement characteristics that differ from children without ADHD.
Such a test offers a possible simple and objective way to determine a diagnosis.
QEEG Test. The quantitative electroencephalographic procedure (QEEG) assesses the electrical activity in a part of the brain called the prefrontal cortex. Evidence suggests that ADHD is associated with low activity in this region. Studies are reporting that it may be highly accurate in both diagnosing and ruling out ADHD in patients.
Imaging Techniques. Brain scans using imaging techniques, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) may eventually help confirm a diagnosis. At this time, however, they are used only for research.
Drug Trials
Although it is fairly common to use a trial of a psychostimulant (usually Ritalin) to facilitate diagnosis, experts strongly recommend against this method of diagnosis, because it is not always accurate. An improvement in symptoms is considered suggestive of ADHD, while in non-ADHD children the stimulant often increases agitation and hyperactivity. Many children and adults without the disorder have a similar response, and such a diagnostic trial may lead to unnecessary prescriptions of this drug.
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