A study Confirms that ADHD Affects Overall Brain Connectivity

Analyzing neuroimaging data from almost 12,000 participants, researchers have verified the necessity of adopting a comprehensive approach encompassing the entire brain for the diagnosis, research, and treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Earlier research has concentrated on specific brain regions or networks. However, scientists at the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) and the University of Minnesota Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain argue that such an approach may overlook aspects of the condition. They emphasize the importance of zooming out and considering the broader perspective to detect additional facets of ADHD.

Predicting and Identifying High-Risk Children for Timely Intervention

“Assessing the collective impact of brain regions, we now approach ADHD as a comprehensive brain-related issue, offering the potential to predict which children may have ADHD and to what extent,” explained Michael A. Mooney, the corresponding author and assistant professor of medical informatics and clinical epidemiology in the OHSU School of Medicine. “In the future, we anticipate that this approach will aid in early identification of children at the highest risk, enabling prompt intervention.”

ADHD, with its diverse symptoms and varying severity, officially affects approximately 3.5% of the US population, exceeding 11 million people; however, the actual prevalence is believed to be higher. Currently, there is no singular diagnostic test for this often debilitating condition observed in both children and adults. Diagnosis relies on a combination of medical tests to eliminate other possibilities and subjective assessments through anecdotal and symptom checklist examinations, forming the foundation for diagnosis and treatment.

Neuroimaging Insight

In this investigation, the scientists utilized neuroimaging information from almost 12,000 children, aged nine and ten, participating in the Adolescent Brain Development Study (ABCD). This study spanned over a decade and mapped behavioral, social, and brain development. Using this dataset, the researchers developed a Polyneuro Risk Score (PNRS) to assess the probability of an ADHD diagnosis based on connectivity throughout the entire brain.

By understanding the types of connectivity issues associated with different ADHD symptoms, the researchers assigned PNRS scores using participants’ resting-state functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fcMRI) data. A higher score indicated a stronger correlation with recognized ADHD brain activity.

The noteworthy finding was a significant correlation between the PNRS score and ADHD diagnosis when considering the entire brain.

Challenging the Conventional Focus on Specific Brain Regions in ADHD Research

“This is a notable development, as much of the earlier research concentrated on specific brain regions, whereas our study reveals that it is not universally applicable,” stated Mooney. “In reality, there is signal contribution from all areas of the brain that influences the risk of ADHD.”

The team’s subsequent objective is to validate if these findings remain consistent across different age groups, aiming to establish a robust neurological tool for diagnosis. Additionally, they aspire to explore how assessing connectivity across the entire brain could serve as a foundation for more effective treatment.

Given the evolving understanding of ADHD and its diverse behavioral expressions, the current diagnostic methods are viewed as somewhat outdated. While symptoms may involve hyperactivity, impulsivity, and disruptiveness, there are also inattentive and distractible types, along with a combination of the two extremes.

“At this research stage, we are still assessing the practical applications of these findings,” remarked Mooney. “Nevertheless, it strongly suggests the importance of not isolating behavioral conditions. Our aspiration is to continue advancing in this research area so that, in the future, we can enhance the methodology to a level where it could be employed in healthcare settings, offering ADHD risk prediction and assessment.”

Read the original article on: New Atlas

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