Fronto-Cerebellar Neurometabolite Alterations After Methylphenidate in Children and Adolescents With ADHD: A Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Study

Abstract

Objective: The fronto-cerebellar circuit is involved in ADHD pathophysiology. Methylphenidate, as a first-line medication for ADHD, affects different brain regions, however, its effect on the fronto-cerebellar circuit is not investigated sufficiently. We aimed to investigate the effect of 8-week treatment with methylphenidate on neurometabolite ratios in the fronto-cerebellar circuit in ADHD participants using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). Methods: Fifteen drug-naïve ADHD children and adolescents were enrolled in the present study. Two single-voxel MR spectra were acquired from the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and left Crus 1, before and after the medication. Also, neuropsychological and behavioral assessments were administered. Results: After medication, the glutamate/creatine in the DLPFC and the choline/creatine in the Crus 1 decreased in the ADHD participants. Conclusion: These findings propose that methylphenidate-induced metabolite changes in the fronto-cerebellar circuit could be associated with improvement in cognitive/behavioral characteristics in ADHD. Also, results highlighted cerebellar engagement in ADHD pathophysiology.