title: Attention network hypoconnectivity with default and affective network hyperconnectivity in adults diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in childhood.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The neurobiological underpinnings of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and particularly those associated with the persistence of ADHD into adulthood are not yet well understood. The correlation patterns in spontaneous neural fluctuations at rest are known as resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) and could characterize ADHD-specific connectivity changes.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the specific location of possible ADHD-related differences in RSFC between adults diagnosed as having ADHD in childhood and control subjects. DESIGN Using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging, we calculated and compared functional connectivity from attention, affective, default, and cognitive control networks involved in the psychopathology of ADHD between the ADHD and control groups. SETTING University psychiatric service and magnetic resonance imaging research center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen drug-free adults (5 women and 11 men; mean age, 24.5 years) diagnosed with combined-type ADHD in childhood and 16 healthy controls matched for age (mean age, 24.4 years), sex, handedness, and educational level recruited from the community.
  
  
  METHODS
  Functional magnetic resonance imaging.
  
  
  METHODS
  Connectivity data from ventral and dorsal attention, affective, default, and cognitive control networks and ADHD symptoms derived from ADHD-specific rating instruments.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Adults with ADHD showed significantly decreased RSFC within the attention networks and increased RSFC within the affective and default mode and the right lateralized cognitive control networks compared with healthy controls (P < .01, familywise error for whole-brain cluster correction). Lower RSFC in the ventral and dorsal attention network was significantly correlated with higher levels of ADHD symptoms (P < .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These RSFC findings might underpin a biological basis for adult ADHD and are functionally related to persistent inattention, disturbance in cognitive control, and emotional dysregulation in adults with ADHD. These findings need to be understood in the context of all aspects of brain function in ADHD.
authors.affiliation: Neuroimaging Group, Department of Psychiatry, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland2Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Hazel
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: McCarthy
authors.forename: Norbert
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Skokauskas
authors.forename: Aisling
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mulligan
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Donohoe
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mullins
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fagan
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gill
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Meaney
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Frodl
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000502:physiology; D017668:Age of Onset; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D063132:Connectome / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D055815:Young Adult