Abstract
Background: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is frequently associated with deficits in emotional self-regulation. With the amygdala being a key brain region involved in emotional regulation, recent studies demonstrated alterations of amygdala networks related to emotional lability (EL) of children with ADHD. However, the amygdala is a functionally heterogeneous structure,
comprising distinct main subregions: the basolateral (BLA), centromedial (CMA) and superficial (SFA).
Objectives: This study evaluated the integrity of amygdala subregion–based functional networks in boys with ADHD and their association with EL symptoms.
Methods: This study examined resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) of amygdala subregions using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging in 35 drug-naive boys with ADHD and 30 age-matched healthy boys. We also explored the relationships between the altered RSFC of amygdala subregions and
EL scores in ADHD.
Findings: Widespread reduced RSFC patterns were detected between amygdala subregions and the dorsal frontoparietal cortices, temporal cortex and limbic regions in boys with ADHD. More specifically, the BLA networks were altered in RSFC with thalamus and vermis; altered RSFC of the CMA was found with the superior temporal gyrus/pole and insula, precuneus and cerebellum; and the RSFC between the SFA and the dorsal frontoparietal cortices was reduced. Among the group with ADHD, high EL scores were associated with reduced negative RSFC between the SFA and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, as well as the inferior parietal lobe.
Conclusions: Our findings provide preliminary evidence for diffuse alterations of amygdala subregion–based networks being associated with ADHD. Within ADHD, EL scores were associated with weaker SFA–frontoparietal networks which are involved in the hypothesized topdown (‘effortful’) regulation of emotion.
comprising distinct main subregions: the basolateral (BLA), centromedial (CMA) and superficial (SFA).
Objectives: This study evaluated the integrity of amygdala subregion–based functional networks in boys with ADHD and their association with EL symptoms.
Methods: This study examined resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) of amygdala subregions using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging in 35 drug-naive boys with ADHD and 30 age-matched healthy boys. We also explored the relationships between the altered RSFC of amygdala subregions and
EL scores in ADHD.
Findings: Widespread reduced RSFC patterns were detected between amygdala subregions and the dorsal frontoparietal cortices, temporal cortex and limbic regions in boys with ADHD. More specifically, the BLA networks were altered in RSFC with thalamus and vermis; altered RSFC of the CMA was found with the superior temporal gyrus/pole and insula, precuneus and cerebellum; and the RSFC between the SFA and the dorsal frontoparietal cortices was reduced. Among the group with ADHD, high EL scores were associated with reduced negative RSFC between the SFA and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, as well as the inferior parietal lobe.
Conclusions: Our findings provide preliminary evidence for diffuse alterations of amygdala subregion–based networks being associated with ADHD. Within ADHD, EL scores were associated with weaker SFA–frontoparietal networks which are involved in the hypothesized topdown (‘effortful’) regulation of emotion.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages | 29 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 2016 |