title: A preliminary neuroimaging study of preschool children with ADHD.
abstract: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a developmental disorder that, by current definition, has onset prior to age 7 years. MRI studies have provided some insight into brain differences associated with ADHD, but thus far have almost exclusively focused on children ages 7 years and older. To better understand the neurobiological development of ADHD, cortical and subcortical brain development should be systematically examined in younger children presenting with symptoms of the disorder. High-resolution anatomical (MPRAGE) images, acquired on a 3.0T scanner, were analyzed in a total of 26 preschoolers, ages 4-5 years (13 with ADHD, 13 controls, matched on age and sex). The ADHD sample was diagnosed using DSM-IV criteria, and screened for language disorders. Cortical regions were delineated and measured using automated methods in Freesurfer; basal ganglia structures were manually delineated. Children with ADHD showed significantly reduced caudate volumes bilaterally; in contrast there were no significant group differences in cortical volume or thickness in this age range. After controlling for age and total cerebral volume, left caudate volume was a significant predictor of hyperactive/impulsive, but not inattentive symptom severity. Anomalous basal ganglia, particularly caudate, development appears to play an important role among children presenting with early onset symptoms of ADHD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuropsychology, Kennedy Krieger Institute, 1750 E. Fairmount Ave., Baltimore, MD 21231, USA. mahone@kennedykrieger.org
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Mahone
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Crocetti
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Ranta
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gaddis
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cataldo
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Slifer
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Denckla
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Mostofsky
mesh_terms: D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007805:Language Development Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D013223:Statistics as Topic