Using MRI to examine brain-behavior relationships in males with attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology
• Pediatric Neurology

Background:

• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder.
• Previous research suggests potential links between ADHD and structural brain abnormalities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between neuropsychological measures of inhibition and sustained attention and structural brain differences.
• To examine specific brain regions, including the caudate and frontal regions, in males with ADHD.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 10 males diagnosed with ADHD (ages 8-17) and 11 typically developing male controls (ages 9-18) were recruited.
• Participants underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Main Results:

• Males with ADHD exhibited reversed asymmetry of the caudate head, reduced left caudate head volume, and smaller right frontal white matter volume.
• Children with ADHD performed significantly worse on measures of inhibition and sustained attention, but not on IQ, achievement, or motor speed.
• Reversed caudate asymmetry was linked to poorer inhibition and externalizing behaviors, while reduced right hemispheric white matter volume correlated with impaired sustained attention.

Conclusions:

• Compromised brain morphology in specific regions is associated with behavioral deficits in inhibition and attention.
• These findings highlight the neuroanatomical underpinnings of attention and inhibition challenges in ADHD.