Available online 7 October 2022, 111548

White matter microstructural alterations occur in children with drug-naïve ADHD

Long-range white matter connections are altered in children with drug-naïve ADHD

White matter changes correlate with symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity

Deviant white matter myelination may be involved in ADHD development

: To investigate WM alterations, particularly the changes in long-range fibers, in drug-naive children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), we conducted tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) analysis on diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data.

: In this study, 57 children with ADHD and 41 healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled. None of the enrolled ADHD children received any medication before data collection. WM changes were then correlated with clinical symptoms, including the hyperactivity index score and the impulsivity score.

: ADHD children demonstrated decreased FA in the right forceps major, left inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, and left genu Internal capsule. Moreover, higher RD was observed in the right forceps major, superior longitudinal fasciculus, and forceps major. The results of linear regression analysis including learning problem score, hyperactivity index score and impulsivity score showed that higher earning problem and hyperactivity/impulsivity symptom scores were negatively correlated with the mean FA value in the right forceps major, left IFOF and left genu Internal capsule.

: Our results demonstrate that microstructural WM alterations and changes in the long-range WM connections are present in children with ADHD. We speculate that these changes may relate to the symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity.

Anisotropy

diffusion tensor imaging

eigenvalue

myelination

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