Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 24, 2025

Probing the Brain in Autism Using fMRI and Diffusion Tensor Imaging
12:21

Probing the Brain in Autism Using fMRI and Diffusion Tensor Imaging

Published on: September 12, 2011

25.3K

Fronto-parietal white matter microstructure associated with working memory performance in children with ADHD

Lillian M Dipnall1, Danah Hourani2, Simone Darling3

  • 1School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.

Cortex; a Journal Devoted to the Study of the Nervous System and Behavior
|July 5, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) show poorer working memory and reduced left superior longitudinal fasciculus-II (SLF-II) white matter organization. SLF-II volume mediates the link between ADHD and working memory deficits.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Radiology

Background:

  • Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder impacting executive functions, particularly working memory.
  • The superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF) is crucial for working memory development in neurotypical children.
  • Reduced white matter organization in the SLF is hypothesized to underlie working memory deficits in ADHD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between SLF white matter organization and working memory in children with ADHD.
  • To compare SLF volume and apparent fibre density (AFD) between children with ADHD and controls.

Main Methods:

  • Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) and constrained spherical deconvolution-based tractography were used to analyze the SLF.
  • Working memory was assessed using a computerized spatial n-back task in 64 children with ADHD and 58 controls (aged 9-11).
  • Tract volume and AFD of the SLF branches were quantified bilaterally.

Main Results:

  • Children with ADHD demonstrated poorer working memory performance, characterized by increased reaction time and variability (RT and RT-V).
  • Lower volume and AFD of the left SLF-II were observed in children with ADHD compared to controls.
  • Left SLF-II volume significantly mediated the relationship between ADHD and working memory performance.

Conclusions:

  • The findings highlight the role of frontoparietal white matter integrity, specifically the left SLF-II, in working memory impairments associated with ADHD.
  • This research contributes to understanding the neurobiological underpinnings of executive function deficits in ADHD.
Abstract

Keywords:
ADHDFibre densitySuperior longitudinal fasciculusWhite matterWorking memory

More Related Videos

Event Related Potentials ERPs and other EEG Based Methods for Extracting Biomarkers of Brain Dysfunction: Examples from Pediatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD10:02

Event Related Potentials ERPs and other EEG Based Methods for Extracting Biomarkers of Brain Dysfunction: Examples from Pediatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD

Published on: March 12, 2020

15.8K
Assessing Working Memory in Children: The Comprehensive Assessment Battery for Children – Working Memory (CABC-WM)09:05

Assessing Working Memory in Children: The Comprehensive Assessment Battery for Children – Working Memory (CABC-WM)

Published on: June 12, 2017

29.8K

Related Concept Videos

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder01:30

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....
133
Working Memory01:24

Working Memory

Working memory refers to a combination of components, including short-term memory and attention, that allow an individual to hold information temporarily as we perform cognitive tasks. It is an essential cognitive function that enables the execution of complex tasks such as problem-solving, comprehension, and reasoning. Unlike short-term memory, which simply involves the storage of information for a brief period, working memory involves the active manipulation and processing of this...
386
Information Processing Approach01:30

Information Processing Approach

The information-processing theory of cognitive development centers on fundamental mental processes, including attention, memory, and problem-solving skills. Researchers in this field examine how cognitive abilities, such as working memory, evolve and influence children's overall development. Studies indicate that children with stronger working memory tend to excel in reading comprehension, math, and problem-solving compared to peers with less efficient memory skills. Low working memory is...
80
Role of Cerebellum and Prefrontal Cortex in Memory01:14

Role of Cerebellum and Prefrontal Cortex in Memory

The cerebellum, while traditionally associated with motor control, also plays a crucial role in memory, particularly in procedural memory, which involves learning motor tasks that become automatic through repetition. For example, studies have shown that when the cerebellum is damaged, individuals or animals lose the ability to learn conditioned motor responses, such as the conditioned eye-blink response in classical conditioning experiments with rabbits. This study demonstrates the...
499