ADHD Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about ADHD, including details on attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, drugs, treatment, symptoms.

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

Ashtari M, Kumra S, Bhaskar SL, Clarke T, Thaden E, Cervellione KL, Rhinewine J, Kane JM, Adesman A, Milanaik R, Maytal J, Diamond A, Szeszko P, Ardekani BA

Departments of Radiology, North Shore Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New Hyde Park, NY 11040, USA. ashtari@lij.edu

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.

Published 1 March 2005 in Biol Psychiatry, 57(5): 448-55.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 ADHD Research Today. All Rights Reserved.