Diagnosis of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) comorbid autistic traits (ATs) by applying quantitative magnetic resonance imaging techniques

Abstract

ObjectiveTo explore the feasibility of applying quantitative magnetic resonance imaging techniques for the diagnosis of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) comorbid autistic traits (ATs).MethodsA prospective study was performed by selecting 56 children aged 4–5 years with ADHD-ATs as the study group and 53 sex- and age-matched children with ADHD without ATs as the control group. All children underwent magnetic resonance scans with enhanced T2*- weighted magnetic resonance angiography (ESWAN), 3D-PCASL, and 3D-T1 sequences. Iron content and cerebral blood flow parameters were obtained via subsequent software processing, and the parameter values in particular brain regions in both groups were compared and analyzed to determine the characteristics of these parameters in children with ADHD-ATs.ResultsIron content and cerebral blood flow in the frontal lobe, temporal lobe, hippocampus, and caudate nucleus of children with ADHD-ATs were lower than those of children with ADHD without ATs (p < 0.05). Iron content and CBF values in the frontal lobe, temporal lobe and caudate nucleus could distinguish children with ADHD-ATs from those without ATs (AUC > 0.5, p < 0.05).ConclusionsQuantitative magnetic resonance techniques could distinguish children with ADHD-ATs.Trial registrationThis study protocol was registered at the Chinese clinical trial registry (ChiCTR2100046616).

Insights into the structure and function of the hippocampus: implications for the pathophysiology and treatment of autism spectrum disorder

“…Therefore, measuring hippocampal blood flow may be an effective method for brain imaging diagnosis in children with ASD. The reduction in cerebral blood flow in the hippocampus also led to a decrease in hemoglobin iron and non-hemoglobin iron in the blood, which ultimately resulted in a decrease in iron content in the hippocampus ( 63 , 65 ). The hippocampal growth is closely related to blood perfusion, but current findings suggest that reduced blood perfusion and iron ion levels within the hippocampal region do not have a significant impact on the hippocampal volume of ASD children ( 63 – 65 ).…”

“…The reduction in cerebral blood flow in the hippocampus also led to a decrease in hemoglobin iron and non-hemoglobin iron in the blood, which ultimately resulted in a decrease in iron content in the hippocampus ( 63 , 65 ). The hippocampal growth is closely related to blood perfusion, but current findings suggest that reduced blood perfusion and iron ion levels within the hippocampal region do not have a significant impact on the hippocampal volume of ASD children ( 63 – 65 ). One contradictory result was that as compared to healthy controls, high-functioning ASD adults showed a significant cerebral blood flow increase in the right parahippocampal cortex ( 67 ).…”

“…As documented through quantitative MRI and 3D pseudocontinuous arterial spin labeling, cerebral hypoperfusion has been observed in the hippocampus among children with ASD in comparison to healthy controls, which may not be related to sex differences (63)(64)(65). Proper brain oxygenation is essential not only for the early development of neurons but also for optimal functioning.…”