Distinct brain structural abnormalities in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and substance use disorders: A comparative meta-analysis

Abstract

As two common mental disorders during the period of adolescence that extend to early adulthood, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and substance use disorders (SUDs) have considerable diagnostic co-occurrence and shared neuropsychological impairments. Our study aimed to identify overlapping and distinct brain structural abnormalities associated with ADHD and SUDs among adolescents and young adults. A systematic literature search on voxel-based morphometry (VBM) studies of ADHD and SUDs was conducted in PubMed and Web of Science. Data were extracted and analyzed to identify brain abnormalities using Seed-based d-Mapping software. Data-driven functional decoding was conducted to identify the psychophysiological functioning associated with brain alterations. 13 and 14 VBM studies for ADHD (619 patients and 483 controls) and SUDs (516 patients and 413 controls), respectively, were included. Patterns of decreased gray matter volume (GMV) were found in the left precentral gyrus, bilateral superior frontal gyri, and left inferior frontal gyrus in the ADHD group compared to the control group. In contrast, individuals with SUDs, relative to controls, were characterized by increased GMV in the left putamen and insula. Comparative analysis indicated larger regional GMV in the right inferior parietal lobule and smaller volumes in the left putamen and left precentral gyrus in the ADHD group than in the SUDs group. Dissociable brain structural abnormalities in adolescents and young adults with ADHD and SUDs potentially implicate different pathogeneses and provide a reference for differential diagnosis and early detection for shared symptomology and comorbidity.

Three-dimensional pseudocontinuous arterial spin labeling perfusion imaging shows cerebral blood flow perfusion decline in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder children

“…Patients present with three core symptoms, including inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, which are not age-appropriate, and are often accompanied by emotional problems, learning problems, and conduct disorders. It seriously affects children's academic and emotional development (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6). ADHD is multifactorial and is associated with neurodevelopment, genetics, and some other factors that are not well understood, such as the abnormal development of brain regions such as frontal lobes and basal ganglia in ADHD children, but it is not known whether the blood perfusion in the abnormal developmental brain regions is abnormal (7)(8)(9)(10).…”

Understanding the Mechanisms of Action and Effects of Drugs of Abuse

“…Additionally, the study correlated severe addiction in the case of illegal drugs (cocaine, heroin) with frequent activation of the subcortical reward pathway [ 26 ]. Another meta-analysis outlined altered patterns of brain gray matter structure (such as the increased volumetric pattern in the left putamen), pointing to drug-related adaptions in neural systems, such as the hyperactive reward system, as the trigger for the neuropathological processing in substance use disorders (stimulants, cannabis, alcohol, tobacco, inhalants, and poly-consumption) [ 30 ]. Moreover, alterations of white matter (reduced volume and axonal integrity) have been identified in patients with alcohol use disorder, affecting key brain structures of the cingulum, corpus callosum, fornix, and internal capsule, alterations that lead to various neuropsychological deficits (motor, cognitive, affective, and perceptual functions) [ 31 ].…”

Exploring the Frontiers of Neuroimaging: A Review of Recent Advances in Understanding Brain Functioning and Disorders

“…Studies have shown differences in the structure and function of certain parts of the brain in people with ADHD compared to people without the disorder [83]. Specifically, the study found abnormalities in the prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia, and cerebellum involved in attention, motivation, and motor control [84,85]. The pathology of ADHD consists of a spectrum of symptoms that affect an individual's ability to pay attention, control impulsive behavior, and regulate activity levels.…”