Diffusion tensor imaging in attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Pilot Data Assessing the Functional Integrity of the Default Network in Adult ADHD with fMRI and sLORETA

“…This particular region in the left occipital cortex shows similar white matter volume deficits in unaffected siblings, suggesting a potential marker for increased familial risk for ADHD (Durston et al, 2004). Numerous studies have shown cerebral volume reduction in ADHD in a variety of regions; however, procedural issues regarding methodology influence the effectiveness of conclusions or robust agreement about specific etiology (van Ewijk, Heslenfeld, Zwiers, Buitelaar, & Oosterlaan, 2012). There have been reports of negligible volume reductions in ADHD (Wolosin, Richardson, Hennessey, Denckla, & Mostofsky, 2009).…”

“…In recent years there has been a growing interest in mapping out structural connectivity of the brain with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in ADHD (van Ewijk et al, 2012). DTI is an MRI-derived technology that models the local diffusion of water as a function of direction.…”

Microstructural abnormalities of the brain white matter in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

“…Much has been learned from macro structural MRI about abnormalities in grey matter structures, such as the basal ganglia, prefrontal lobe, tempor al and parietal cortices, 6 and from fMRI about abnormal activation patterns in frontostriatal, frontotemporal and frontoparietal regions. 7 This functional work has led to the notion of abnormal large-scale brain circuits in ADHDnotably the frontal-striatal-cerebellar circuit, 8 with more recent evidence implicating the default mode (DMN), limbic and visual networks. 9 Attention has also turned to white matter microstructural alterations in patients with ADHD 8 and to models involving abnormal connections between multiple functional units in neural networks conceived as ensembles of neuronal bodies and axonal pathways.…”

“…7 This functional work has led to the notion of abnormal large-scale brain circuits in ADHDnotably the frontal-striatal-cerebellar circuit, 8 with more recent evidence implicating the default mode (DMN), limbic and visual networks. 9 Attention has also turned to white matter microstructural alterations in patients with ADHD 8 and to models involving abnormal connections between multiple functional units in neural networks conceived as ensembles of neuronal bodies and axonal pathways. 10 The importance of white matter deficits in patients with ADHD is supported by the observation that the effect sizes for volume reductions in total brain and lobar volumes are larger in white matter (0.30-0.64) than in grey matter (0.27-0.35).…”

Brain imaging: closing the gap between basic research and clinical application is urgently needed

“…Rather, a disruption of optimal structural and functional connectivity between separate areas of the brain, alongside interference of well-coordinated and synchronized activity of various neural systems turn out to be a most valuable perspective for understanding the biological basis of psychiatric disorders. These may be conceptualized as 'systems disorders of the brain' [1][2][3][4][5]. Brain imaging has also started to add a developmental perspective by outlining how neural circuits develop over age and how this influences and interacts with maturation of cognitive functions and development of behavioral competences.…”