Reduced subcortical volumes among preschool-age girls and boys with ADHD

Abstract

Anomalous brain structure and function are implicated in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Most neuroimaging research, however, has examined school-aged children, despite the typical onset of symptoms in early childhood. This study compared the volumes of subcortical structures (caudate nucleus, putamen, globus pallidus, and thalamus) among preschoolers with ADHD and typically developing (TD) children. High resolution T1-weighted 3D MPRAGE images covering the whole brain were acquired on a 3T scanner and subcortical volumes were automatically extracted. Analyses were conducted in a total of 87 medicationnaïve preschoolers, ages 4–5 years (47 with ADHD, 40 controls; 63% boys). ADHD was diagnosed using modified DSM-IV criteria based on review of developmental history, structured psychiatric interview and caregiver ratings. Compared to typically developing children, subcortical volumes were reduced among preschoolers with ADHD, with largest reductions in the caudate, globus pallidus, and thalamus. Among girls (but not boys) with ADHD, putamen and thalamus volumes were associated with ADHD symptom severity. The observed patterns of subcortical differences in preschoolers with ADHD (larger reductions in girls), contrasted with differences observed among school-aged children, (larger reductions in boys) suggests that children with ADHD show sexual dimorphism in neuroanatomical development that parallels early trajectory of symptom onset and attenuation.

Response control correlates of anomalous basal ganglia morphology in boys, but not girls, with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

“…Thus, it may be that motor deficits and the associated anomalies in basal ganglia morphology may be more apparent among boys with ADHD during this developmental period whereas girls with ADHD may show similar anomalies compared to TD girls at a younger or older age depending on the brain region. This pattern is supported by findings from our recent study of preschoolers with and without ADHD, showing reduced volume of the caudate, globus pallidus, and thalamus among girls with ADHD compared to TD girls whereas no significant diagnostic differences were observed among boys [74]. …”

Deficient neural activity subserving decision‐making during reward waiting time in intertemporal choice in adult attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder

“…We found a significantly weaker negative correlation between BOLD signals in the caudate and reward waiting time in ADHD. Previous structural MRI studies have indicated a reduction in caudate volume in children with ADHD . A voxel‐based meta‐analysis showed a reduction in caudate volume in individuals with ADHD that was more evident in children than in adults .…”

“…Previous structural MRI studies have indicated a reduction in caudate volume in children with ADHD. 29,30 A voxel-based meta-analysis showed a reduction in caudate volume in individuals with ADHD that was more evident in children than in adults. 31 A previous fMRI study reported reduced BOLD signals during an attentional task in adults with ADHD, 32 and a meta-analysis of fMRI studies showed that stimulant medication might normalize caudate activity.…”

Early Life Stress, Growth and Neurodevelopment in Childhood

“…However reduced brain volumes of the hippocampus, caudate, putamen, thalamus, insula and prefrontal cortex are also shown in adults with heart failure [34,35]. Furthermore such brain "injuries" were also shown in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder [36] and children with low birth weight due to small for gestational age syndrome [37]. Most of these brain structures are parts of the so called central autonomic network and limbic system.…”