Resting-state network dysconnectivity in ADHD: A system-neuroscience-based meta-analysis.

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Altered resting-state functional connectivity is reported in attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
• Individual neuroimaging studies show inconsistencies in findings regarding brain system connectivity in ADHD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To meta-analyze seed-based resting-state functional connectivity studies in ADHD.
• To investigate connectivity within and between four key brain networks: default mode, cognitive control, salience, and affective/motivational networks.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Multilevel Kernel Density Analysis (MKDA) for meta-analysis.
• Included 20 studies encompassing 944 individuals with ADHD and 1121 controls.
• Focused on seed-based resting-state functional connectivity.

Main Results:

• ADHD associated with disrupted within-default mode network (DMN) connectivity (reduced in core, elevated in dorsal medial prefrontal cortex sub-system).
• Elevated connectivity observed between nodes in the cognitive control system.
• In pediatric samples, reduced connectivity detected between DMN, cognitive control, and affective/motivational and salience networks.

Conclusions:

• Findings support the hypothesis of pediatric ADHD as a DMN-dysconnectivity disorder.
• Reduced connectivity within the core DMN and between DMN and other key brain systems (cognition, motivation) is characteristic of ADHD.