Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A preliminary diffusion tensor imaging study

✍ Scribed by Manzar Ashtari; Sanjiv Kumra; Shree L. Bhaskar; Tana Clarke; Emily Thaden; Kelly L. Cervellione; Joseph Rhinewine; John M. Kane; Andrew Adesman; Ruth Milanaik; Joseph Maytal; Alan Diamond; Philip Szeszko; Babak A. Ardekani

• Book ID: 119196639
• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 2005
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 256 KB
• Volume: 57
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0006-3223
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2004.11.047

✦ Synopsis

Background
The purpose of this study was to explore whether there are white matter (WM) abnormalities in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) using diffusion tensor imaging. Based upon the literature, we predicted decreased fractional anisotropy (FA) findings in the frontal and cerebellar regions.

Methods
Eighteen patients with ADHD and 15 age- and gender-matched healthy volunteers received DTI assessments. Fractional anisotropy maps of WM were compared between groups with a voxelwise analysis after intersubject registration to Talairach space.

Results
Children with ADHD had decreased FA in areas that have been implicated in the pathophysiology of ADHD: right premotor, right striatal, right cerebral peduncle, left middle cerebellar peduncle, left cerebellum, and left parieto-occipital areas.

Conclusions
These preliminary data support the hypothesis that alterations in brain WM integrity in frontal and cerebellar regions occur in ADHD. The pattern of decreased FA might implicate the corticopontocerebellar circuit in the pathophysiology of ADHD.