Imaging functional and structural brain connectomics in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common childhood neurodevelopmental disorder.
• Core ADHD symptoms include inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
• Previous research links ADHD behavior deficits to brain abnormalities and altered connectivity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advances in functional and structural brain connectomics for ADHD.
• To focus on graph analysis of large-scale brain systems in ADHD.
• To understand ADHD's impact on brain network topology and its relation to symptoms.

Main Methods:

• Utilized noninvasive neuroimaging (EEG, fMRI, dMRI) and neurophysiological techniques.
• Applied graph theoretical approaches to map brain network topology (connectomes).
• Analyzed functional and structural connectivity alterations in ADHD populations.

Main Results:

• Children with ADHD exhibit abnormal small-world network properties (higher local clustering, lower global integrity).
• ADHD-associated network alterations show a shift towards regular configurations.
• Functional and structural connectivity changes involve default-mode, attention, and sensorimotor systems, correlating with symptom severity.

Conclusions:

• Connectome-based studies reveal significant brain network dysfunction in ADHD.
• These findings offer insights into ADHD pathophysiology.
• ADHD-related connectome alterations may serve as potential imaging biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment evaluation.