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Verbal fluency tasks and attention problems in children with ADHD: evidence from fNIRS

Zouji Bian1, Xiquan Ma1, Yanhan Wang1

  • 1Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China.

Frontiers in Neurology
|July 17, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) revealed altered brain activity in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) during a verbal fluency task. This neuroimaging method shows promise for objectively assessing attention deficits in youth.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder.
  • Assessing cortical activity in children with ADHD using non-invasive neuroimaging is crucial.
  • Verbal Fluency Tasks (VFTs) are established cognitive assessments, but their use in young children with ADHD requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate cortical activation patterns during a VFT in children with ADHD using fNIRS.
  • To explore the association between VFT-related cortical activity and behavioral attention symptoms in children with ADHD.
  • To evaluate the utility of fNIRS as a tool for assessing attention deficits in pediatric populations.

Main Methods:

  • Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) was employed to measure cortical activity.
  • Thirteen children with ADHD (aged 7-9) and 13 neurotypical controls performed a VFT.
  • Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) activation was analyzed, and correlations with ADHD symptom scales (SNAP-IV, DSM-V) were examined.

Main Results:

  • Children with ADHD exhibited significantly reduced DLPFC activation compared to controls during the VFT.
  • Widespread negative activation patterns were observed in the ADHD group.
  • Lower mean activation amplitude in the DLPFC was significantly correlated with inattention symptoms.

Conclusions:

  • fNIRS can detect altered DLPFC activation in children with ADHD during a VFT.
  • These findings highlight fNIRS's potential as an objective neuroimaging tool for supporting the clinical assessment of attention deficits in young children.
  • The study underscores the importance of VFTs in conjunction with neuroimaging for understanding ADHD in pediatric populations.
Abstract

Keywords:
ADHDVFTattentionchildrenfNIRS

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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.
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