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Brain structural changes and the development of interference control in children with ADHD: The predictive value of

Sebastian Ludyga1, Toru Ishihara2

  • 1Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.

Neuroimage. Clinical
|August 25, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) show improved interference control with lower body mass index, which normalizes brain structure. Physical activity also supports cognitive function, though its brain structure link is less clear.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is associated with impaired interference control, linked to brain structure abnormalities.
  • Body mass index (BMI) and physical activity are crucial for brain health and may influence cognitive deficits in ADHD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the predictive roles of ADHD, BMI, and physical activity on interference control.
  • To investigate the mediating influence of brain structure on these associations.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal study of 4576 children (ADHD and neurotypical) from the ABCD cohort at ages 9 and 11.
  • Interference control assessed via Flanker task; anthropometric and physical activity data collected.
  • Structural brain imaging (T1- and T2-weighted MRI) performed at both time points.

Main Results:

  • ADHD, lower physical activity, and higher BMI predicted reduced interference control.
  • Gray matter volume, surface area, and gray-white matter ratio influenced interference control.
  • BMI's effect on interference control was mediated by gray-white matter ratio, particularly in children with ADHD.

Conclusions:

  • Maintaining a lower BMI aids interference control by normalizing gray-white matter ratios in brain regions critical for cognitive control.
  • Physical activity is linked to better interference control, but this association is not mediated by brain structure changes.
Abstract

Keywords:
Cortical thicknessExecutive functionExerciseIntracortical myelinationPhysical fitness

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