title: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a preliminary diffusion tensor imaging study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to explore whether there are white matter (WM) abnormalities in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) using diffusion tensor imaging. Based upon the literature, we predicted decreased fractional anisotropy (FA) findings in the frontal and cerebellar regions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen patients with ADHD and 15 age- and gender-matched healthy volunteers received DTI assessments. Fractional anisotropy maps of WM were compared between groups with a voxelwise analysis after intersubject registration to Talairach space.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Children with ADHD had decreased FA in areas that have been implicated in the pathophysiology of ADHD: right premotor, right striatal, right cerebral peduncle, left middle cerebellar peduncle, left cerebellum, and left parieto-occipital areas.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These preliminary data support the hypothesis that alterations in brain WM integrity in frontal and cerebellar regions occur in ADHD. The pattern of decreased FA might implicate the corticopontocerebellar circuit in the pathophysiology of ADHD.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Radiology, North Shore Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New Hyde Park, NY 11040, USA. ashtari@lij.edu
authors.forename: Manzar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ashtari
authors.forename: Sanjiv
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kumra
authors.forename: Shree L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Bhaskar
authors.forename: Tana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Clarke
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Thaden
authors.forename: Kelly L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Cervellione
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rhinewine
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Kane
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Adesman
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Milanaik
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Maytal
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Diamond
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Szeszko
authors.forename: Babak A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Ardekani
mesh_terms: D016880:Anisotropy; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000473:pathology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000473:pathology*; D002648:Child; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D005260:Female; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male