Assessing Fine-Granularity Structural and Functional Connectivity in Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Neuroimaging
• Brain Anatomy

Background:

• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterized by significant heterogeneity.
• Individual variability in cortical structure and function may explain inconsistent neuroimaging findings in ADHD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To apply the Dense Individualized and Common Connectivity-Based Cortical Landmarks (DICCCOL) method for fine-granularity functional cortical region identification.
• To compare fiber bundle patterns and functional connectivity between ADHD patients and controls.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the DICCCOL method to map functional cortical regions based on white matter fiber bundles and functional connectivities.
• Compared DICCCOL-identified regions and their connectivities in two independent ADHD and control samples.

Main Results:

• Consistently identified discrepant fiber bundles in four neighboring DICCCOLs near the left parietooccipital area across both datasets.
• Found significant alterations in functional connectivity, particularly involving the left precentral gyrus and right anterior cingulate gyrus.
• Observed correlations between abnormal functional connectivities and ADHD symptom severity.

Conclusions:

• Revealed novel fine-granularity structural and functional alterations in the brains of individuals with ADHD.
• The DICCCOL method offers a precise approach to identifying localized brain differences in complex disorders like ADHD.