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Laatsch J, Stein F, Maier S, Matthies S, Sobanski E, Alm B, Tebartz van Elst L, Krug A, Philipsen A. Neural correlates of inattention in adults with ADHD. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2024:10.1007/s00406-024-01872-2. [PMID: 39073447 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-024-01872-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
In the last two decades, numerous magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies have examined differences in cortical structure between individuals with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and healthy controls. These studies primarily emphasized alterations in gray matter volume (GMV) and cortical thickness (CT). Still, the scientific literature is notably scarce in regard to investigating associations of cortical structure with ADHD psychopathology, specifically inattention within adults with ADHD. The present study aimed to elucidate neurobiological underpinnings of inattention beyond GMV and CT by including cortical gyrification, sulcal depth, and fractal dimension. Building upon the Comparison of Methylphenidate and Psychotherapy in Adult ADHD Study (COMPAS), cortical structure parameters were investigated using 141 T1-weighted anatomical scans of adult patients with ADHD. All brain structural analyses were performed using the threshold-free cluster enhancement (TFCE) approach and the Computational Anatomy Toolbox (CAT12) integrated into the Statistical Parametric Mapping Software (Matlab Version R2021a). Results revealed significant correlations of inattention in multiple brain regions. Cortical gyrification was negatively correlated, whereas cortical thickness and fractal dimension were positively associated with inattention. The clusters showed widespread distribution across the cerebral cortex, with both hemispheres affected. The cortical regions most prominently affected included the precuneus, para-, pre-, and postcentral gyri, superior parietal lobe, and posterior cingulate cortex. This study highlights the importance of cortical alterations in attentional processes in adults with ADHD. Further research in this area is warranted to elucidate intricacies of inattention in adults with ADHD to potentially enhance diagnostic accuracy and inform personalized treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Laatsch
- Department of Psychiatry und Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
| | - Frederike Stein
- Department of Psychiatry und Psychotherapy, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Simon Maier
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Swantje Matthies
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Esther Sobanski
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty of Mannheim, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Barbara Alm
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty of Mannheim, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Ludger Tebartz van Elst
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Axel Krug
- Department of Psychiatry und Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Alexandra Philipsen
- Department of Psychiatry und Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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Beversdorf DQ. Understanding the Heterogeneity of Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Its Implications: An Exploration of Repetitive Behaviors. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY. COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2024; 9:370-371. [PMID: 38583929 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2024.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- David Q Beversdorf
- Departments of Radiology, Neurology, and Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri.
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Koevoet D, Deschamps PKH, Kenemans JL. Catecholaminergic and cholinergic neuromodulation in autism spectrum disorder: A comparison to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Front Neurosci 2023; 16:1078586. [PMID: 36685234 PMCID: PMC9853424 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.1078586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social impairments and restricted, repetitive behaviors. Treatment of ASD is notoriously difficult and might benefit from identification of underlying mechanisms that overlap with those disturbed in other developmental disorders, for which treatment options are more obvious. One example of the latter is attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), given the efficacy of especially stimulants in treatment of ADHD. Deficiencies in catecholaminergic systems [dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE)] in ADHD are obvious targets for stimulant treatment. Recent findings suggest that dysfunction in catecholaminergic systems may also be a factor in at least a subgroup of ASD. In this review we scrutinize the evidence for catecholaminergic mechanisms underlying ASD symptoms, and also include in this analysis a third classic ascending arousing system, the acetylcholinergic (ACh) network. We complement this with a comprehensive review of DA-, NE-, and ACh-targeted interventions in ASD, and an exploratory search for potential treatment-response predictors (biomarkers) in ASD, genetically or otherwise. Based on this review and analysis we propose that (1) stimulant treatment may be a viable option for an ASD subcategory, possibly defined by genetic subtyping; (2) cerebellar dysfunction is pronounced for a relatively small ADHD subgroup but much more common in ASD and in both cases may point toward NE- or ACh-directed intervention; (3) deficiency of the cortical salience network is sizable in subgroups of both disorders, and biomarkers such as eye blink rate and pupillometric data may predict the efficacy of targeting this underlying deficiency via DA, NE, or ACh in both ASD and ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damian Koevoet
- Experimental Psychology, Helmholtz Institute, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands,*Correspondence: Damian Koevoet,
| | - P. K. H. Deschamps
- Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - J. L. Kenemans
- Experimental Psychology, Helmholtz Institute, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
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