Previous studies have often looked at whether children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have differences in specific brain regions. A new study aims to question this method using a global approach. It opens the way for possible improvement of diagnostic tools for this neurodevelopmental disorder.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by cognitive, behavioral, and emotional differences. People with it have different brain structure and function than the rest of the population.
whole brain
A new study published in Journal of Neuroscience put in the lightthe light The complex relationship between brain connectivity and hyperactive behavior disorder. US researchers used a large national data set (on nearly 12,000 children) and neuroimaging to confirm the cumulative effects of ADHD on the whole brain, rather than just looking at specific areas.
Specifically, researchers used itFunctional magnetic resonance imagingFunctional magnetic resonance imaging To visualize the overall brain activity of children at rest. It also allowed them to identify patterns of brain connectivity specific to ADHD using the Polyneuro Risk Score (or PNRS), a method that calculates the likelihood of a health outcome based on a patient’s brain activity.
Children’s Diagnostic Facility
The holistic approach of the study confirms that ADHD involves multiple areas of the brain that interact in complex ways. ” By assessing the cumulative effects of whole brain regions, we now see ADHD as a whole brain problem, which can make it easier to predict which children have ADHD and how many. GravityGravity This disorderCorresponding author of the study Michael A. Mooney explained. Ultimately, we hope this will contribute to the early identification of children most at risk, so they can get the help they need as soon as possible. ยป
Researchers are also interestedapplicationapplication PNRS method for predicting risk of other neurological disorders, such as depression or anxiety.
