Dissecting the heterogeneity of the brain structure in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and its clinical associations
Year: 2023
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of childhood's most common neurodevelopmental disorders, typically characterized by inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity.Despite previous studies exploring brain abnormalities in ADHD, these studies have frequently compared ADHD to a control group, potentially overlooking the heterogeneity within ADHD.Given the challenge posed by the varying symptoms of ADHD in making accurate diagnoses and providing effective treatments, it is essential to understand the heterogeneity in ADHD.To this end, this study uncovered the heterogeneity of the structural brain in ADHD using unsupervised clustering modeling.The clustering model revealed two distinct groups of ADHD.Then, this study investigated the relationship between the identified ADHD subgroups and clinical characteristics in prepubertal children (ages 9-10 years old; the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study).Both subgroups showed higher levels of ADHD symptoms compared to non-ADHD individuals, but ADHD-2 had higher internalizing mood and genomepolygenic scores (GPSs) for bipolar disorder, BMI, and risk tolerance.The brain profiles of each subgroup showed that ADHD-1 had reduced cortical measures with only a few regions, while ADHD-2 had overall brain volume reductions and decreased surface area.Additionally, the longitudinal analysis revealed different developmental patterns, with ADHD-1 showing reductions in cortical and subcortical volume and ADHD-2 showing reduced cortical thickness.The findings suggest the possibility of different brain pathologies within ADHD and the need for further understanding to inform diagnostic strategies.In conclusion, this study sheds light on the heterogeneity of ADHD and the underlying brain differences between subgroups, providing insights for improved diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in the future.
Author: 김가경
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7037211107