Jeroen Van Dessel1, Edmund Sonuga-Barke2,3, Matthijs Moerkerke1, Saskia Van der Oord4,5, Jurgen Lemiere1, Sarah Morsink1, Marina Danckaerts1. 1. Center for Developmental Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, UPC - KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. 2. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Kings College London, London, UK. 3. Department of Experimental Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. 4. Clinical Psychology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. 5. Developmental Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Recent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies implicate structural alterations of amygdala, a brain region responsible for processing and experiencing negative emotions, in adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Here we examined ADHD-related structural correlates of amygdala functional activity elicited during a functional MRI task designed to test behavioural and brain responses to the imposition of delay - an event known to both elicit amygdala hyperactivation and aversity in ADHD. METHODS: Structural MRI scans from 28 right-handed male adolescents with combined type ADHD and 32 age-matched controls were analysed. Regional grey matter volumes of ADHD and control participants (P[FWE] < 0.05) were correlated with delay aversion self-ratings and neural activity in response to delay-related cues on the Escape Delay Incentive fMRI task. RESULTS: ADHD was associated with significantly reduced volumes in bilateral amygdala, parahippocampal and temporal gyrus (P[FWE] < 0.05), greater basolateral amygdala activation to delay-related cues (P[FWE] < 0.05) and higher delay aversion self-ratings. Amygdala volume reductions were significantly correlated with, and statistically mediated the pathway from ADHD to, delay-cue-related amygdala hyperactivity (P < 0.01) and self-reported delay aversion (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: We provide the first evidence of the functional significance of reduced amygdala volumes in adolescents with ADHD by highlighting its relation to delay-induced brain activity that is linked to delay aversion.
OBJECTIVES: Recent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies implicate structural alterations of amygdala, a brain region responsible for processing and experiencing negative emotions, in adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Here we examined ADHD-related structural correlates of amygdala functional activity elicited during a functional MRI task designed to test behavioural and brain responses to the imposition of delay - an event known to both elicit amygdala hyperactivation and aversity in ADHD. METHODS: Structural MRI scans from 28 right-handed male adolescents with combined type ADHD and 32 age-matched controls were analysed. Regional grey matter volumes of ADHD and control participants (P[FWE] < 0.05) were correlated with delay aversion self-ratings and neural activity in response to delay-related cues on the Escape Delay Incentive fMRI task. RESULTS:ADHD was associated with significantly reduced volumes in bilateral amygdala, parahippocampal and temporal gyrus (P[FWE] < 0.05), greater basolateral amygdala activation to delay-related cues (P[FWE] < 0.05) and higher delay aversion self-ratings. Amygdala volume reductions were significantly correlated with, and statistically mediated the pathway from ADHD to, delay-cue-related amygdala hyperactivity (P < 0.01) and self-reported delay aversion (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: We provide the first evidence of the functional significance of reduced amygdala volumes in adolescents with ADHD by highlighting its relation to delay-induced brain activity that is linked to delay aversion.
Authors: Diane Seguin; Sara Pac; Jianan Wang; Rob Nicolson; Julio Martinez-Trujillo; Evdokia Anagnostou; Jason P Lerch; Christopher Hammill; Russell Schachar; Jennifer Crosbie; Elizabeth Kelley; Muhammad Ayub; Jessica Brian; Xudong Liu; Paul D Arnold; Stelios Georgiades; Emma G Duerden Journal: Hum Brain Mapp Date: 2022-07-12 Impact factor: 5.399
Authors: Jeroen Van Dessel; Edmund J S Sonuga-Barke; Matthijs Moerkerke; Saskia Van der Oord; Sarah Morsink; Jurgen Lemiere; Marina Danckaerts Journal: Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci Date: 2022-05-05 Impact factor: 4.235
Authors: Mileini Campez; Joseph S Raiker; Kelcey Little; Amy R Altszuler; Brittany M Merrill; Fiona L Macphee; Elizabeth M Gnagy; Andrew R Greiner; Erica D Musser; Erika K Coles; William E Pelham Journal: Exp Clin Psychopharmacol Date: 2021-01-21 Impact factor: 3.157