Presence Of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Research Articles

Characteristics of Speech Auditory Brainstem Response in Preschool Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of auditory processing (AP) in preschool children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) using the speech auditory brainstem response (speech-ABR), which provides insights into the AP of speech signals in the central auditory nervous system (CANS). A total of 84 preschool children diagnosed with ADHD, aged 4-6 years, were matched with 84 typically developing (TD) children based on gender and age. All children underwent speech-ABR testing, cognitive assessment using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Fourth Edition or the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fourth Edition, and a continuous performance test. Children with ADHD exhibited significantly longer latencies of speech-ABR waveforms V, A, and D compared to TD children. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the latencies of speech-ABR waves V, A, and D were affected by the presence of ADHD, but not by the full-scale intelligence quotient. This study revealed that preschool children with ADHD exhibited abnormal AP of speech signals in their CANS. The findings suggest that speech-ABR can be utilized as a reliable measure to evaluate AP ability in this population, as it remains unaffected by cognitive or attentional factors. The transient response (V, A) of speech-ABR was found to be a significant predictor of ADHD in a clinical setting. Early assessment of AP abnormalities via speech-ABR is recommended in preschool-age children to develop targeted interventions for ADHD. https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.26376502.

The effect of a single dose of methylphenidate on attention in children and adolescents with ADHD and comorbid Oppositional Defiant Disorder.

The co-occurrence Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) in children and adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has been associated to difficulties in regulating adverse states, elevated functional impairment, deficits in Executive Functions and high risk for psychopathology. Recent studies have shown that ODD is a negative predictor of a positive response to methylphenidate (MPH) treatment for ADHD symptoms in children and adolescents and that patients with a diagnosis of comorbid ADHD and ODD are less likely to respond favorably to pharmacological treatment with MPH. We conducted a naturalistic study to understand the clinical characteristics of drug-naïve children and adolescents with ADHD that influence the response to MPH by measuring the effect on attention. Specifically, we investigated whether a single dose of MPH differently affects the performance of 53 children and adolescents with ADHD with or without ODD comorbidity. In addition, participant characteristics such as symptom severity, functional impairment, and associated behavioral and emotional symptoms at baseline were examined to better understand what aspects affect the response to MPH. We found that a single dose of MPH improved the attention of children and adolescents with ADHD without ODD more than those with comorbid ADHD and ODD, resulting in reduced reaction times. Our findings indicated that children and adolescents with comorbid ADHD and ODD and those with ADHD alone did not exhibit differences in measures of attention prior to taking MPH, nor in demographic variables (age, intelligence quotient, gender), clinical characteristics related to symptom severity, and adaptive behaviors. However, we observed differences between the two groups in certain behavioral aspects, including the Dysregulation Profile and disruptive behaviors. Assessing symptoms in combination with the presence of ADHD can be beneficial in determining which individuals would derive the greatest benefits from treatment.

Cluster analysis of teachers report for identifying symptoms of autism spectrum and/or attention deficit hyperactivity in school population: EPINED study.

An early detection of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDDs) is crucial for their prognosis; however, the clinical heterogeneity of some disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is an obstacle to accurate diagnoses in children. In order to facilitate the screening process, the current study aimed to identify symptom-based clusters among a community-based sample of preschool and school-aged children, using behavioral characteristics reported by teachers. A total of 6894 children were assessed on four key variables: social communication differences, restricted behavior patterns, restless-impulsiveness, and emotional lability (pre-schoolers) or inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity (school-aged). From these behavioral profiles, four clusters were identified for each age group. A cluster of ASD + ADHD and others including children with no pathology was clearly identified, whereas two other clusters were characterized by subthreshold ASD and/or ADHD symptoms. In the school-age children, the presence of ADHD was consistently observed with ASD patterns. In pre-schoolers, teachers were more proficient at identifying children who received a diagnosis for either ASD and/or ADHD from an early stage. Considering the significance of early detection and intervention of NDDs, teachers' insights are important. Therefore, promptly identifying subthreshold symptoms in children can help to minimize consequences in social and academic functioning.

Determining cutoff scores on the Conners’ adult ADHD rating scales that can definitively rule out the presence of ADHD in a clinical sample

In recent years, the prevalence of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and the number of individuals seeking ADHD assessments has risen significantly, leading to an increased demand for accurate diagnostic tools. This study aimed to identify cutoff scores on the Conners’ Adult ADHD Rating Scales (CAARS-S:L) that can definitively rule out the presence of ADHD. Among 102 clinically diagnosed adult ADHD participants and 448 non-ADHD participants who completed the CAARS-S:L, a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis established a perfectly discriminant cutoff T-score of <44 on the ADHD Symptoms Total subscale when looking at any ADHD diagnosis and <54 on the Inattentive Symptoms subscale when looking at individuals diagnosed with the inattentive subtype of ADHD. Alternative cutoffs of <54 (ADHD Symptoms Total subscale) and <63 (Inattentive Symptoms subscale) were also identified, both with a sensitivity of 0.95 or higher. Furthermore, the analysis found the ADHD Index to be a poor predictor of a negative ADHD diagnosis, suggesting against the use of this scale for cutoff determination. Despite this limitation, these findings indicate that with specific cutoffs, the CAARS-S:L may have the potential to conclusively rule out ADHD, effectively streamlining the diagnostic process and reducing unnecessary comprehensive assessments in clear negative cases.

Clinico-Demographic Profile of Children and Adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Presenting to a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder in children. ADHD leads to significant impairment in overall functioning of the child. There is limited information concerning the clinical scenario of ADHD within Nepal. The study aims to determine the clinico-demographic profile and pattern of medication use in the treatment of ADHD. This study retrospectively examines the records of children diagnosed with ADHD at the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (CAP) Unit, Kanti Children's Hospital (KCH), Nepal. Approval for the study was granted by KCH's Institutional Review Board. The analysis focused on data extracted from hospital records of ADHD patients spanning from 1 January 2021 to 30 June 2023 encompassing two and a half years. A total of 585 children were diagnosed with ADHD, with a mean age 7±3.04 years. The majority 501 (85.64%) were male, and 377 (64.44%) were from the school going age group (6 to 11 years). The prevalent psychiatric comorbidities included Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) at 102 (17.43%), Intellectual Disability (ID) at 93(15.89%), and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) at 36 (6.15%). The commonly used medication was Clonidine 165 (28.20%) followed by Atomoxetine 154 (26.32%) and Risperidone 65 (11.11%). The study indicates that ADHD is highly prevalent in Nepal. Comorbidities like ASD and ID are frequently seen which further necessitates the need for structured assessments and multidisciplinary approaches to address ADHD. In our context with limited treatment options, the management of ADHD is extremely challenging.

Understanding the Impact of Deviant Peer Association on Dual Systems Model Development: Testing the Moderating Role of ADHD.

Recent research has indicated that deviant peers may play a role in cognitive development. This is particularly the case for the dual systems model, a key framework for understanding engagement in antisocial behavior during adolescence and emerging adulthood. However, limited research has examined how preexisting mental health concerns may moderate these relationships. This study used the Pathways to Desistance data to examine attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as a moderator of the relationships between deviant peer association and dual systems model constructs. Generalized estimating equations were used to test these relationships. Results indicated that deviant peer association and the presence of ADHD both predicted increased sensation-seeking and lower impulse control. ADHD significantly moderated the relationship between deviant peer association and impulse control, indicating a weaker impact of deviant peer association on impulse control among participants with ADHD. No significant interaction was observed for the relationship between deviant peer association and sensation-seeking.

Sleep-related attentional bias does not associate with symptoms of ADHD in a sample of younger adults

Sleep-related attentional bias, wherein exaggerated attention is directed to sleep-related stimuli, has been proposed to be part of the cognitive processes that underpin the development and perpetuation of insomnia. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is commonly associated with clinically significant sleep disturbances, although the nature of the relationship between ADHD and sleep is not well understood. We hypothesised that ADHD symptoms would associate with greater attentional bias to sleep-related stimuli. We used an emotional Stroop task with sleep-related words to assess the presence of sleep attentional bias in a sample of 155 younger adults. ADHD symptoms and consistency with the presence of ADHD was assessed with the Adult ADHD Self Report Screener and insomnia symptoms and probability for the presence of insomnia disorder was assessed with the Sleep Condition Indicator. ADHD symptoms and consistency, and insomnia symptoms and probability for the presence of insomnia disorder, were not found to associate with sleep attentional bias scores. Sleep attentional bias also did not associate with chronotype or social jetlag, but habitual use of an alarm clock on work-free days associated with greater sleep attentional bias. As such, we did not find evidence to support the hypothesis that ADHD symptoms are associated with sleep attentional bias in a sample of healthy younger adults.

Compulsive sexual behavior and paraphilic interests in adults with chronic tic disorders and Tourette syndrome: a survey-based study.

Early research suggested that compulsive sexual behavior (CSB) and paraphilic interests (PI) are more prevalent in adults with primary tic disorders compared to the general population. However, recent data on this topic remain scarce. We conducted an anonymous online survey capturing data on CSB and PI in adult patients with primary tic disorders. We also explored the role of antipsychotic tic medication and the impact of neuropsychiatric comorbidities like attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and depression. In total, 62 participants (26 females/36 males) completed the survey. The prevalence of CSB and PI were 12.9% and 19.4%, respectively. There was no association with antipsychotic medication nor with symptoms of depression. However, the presence of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder was associated with a higher prevalence of both CSB and PI. The current results contrast with earlier reports and show that in adults with primary tic disorders, the prevalence of CSB and PI is not overly prominent.

Clinical implications of somatic allele expansion in female FMR1 premutation carriers

Carriers of a premutation allele (PM) in the FMR1 gene are at risk of developing a number of Fragile X premutation asssociated disorders (FXPAC), including Fragile X-associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome (FXTAS), Fragile X-associated Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (FXPOI), and Fragile X-associated neuropsychiatric disorders (FXAND). We have recently reported somatic CGG allele expansion in female PM; however, its clinical significance remains unclear. The aim of this study was to examine the potential clinical association between somatic FMR1 allele instability and PM associated disorders. Participants comprised of 424 female PM carriers age 0.3– 90 years. FMR1 molecular measures and clinical information on the presence of medical conditions, were determined for all subjects for primary analysis. Two sub-groups of participants (age ≥ 25, N = 377 and age ≥ 50, N = 134) were used in the analysis related to presence of FXPOI and FXTAS, respectively. Among all participants (N = 424), the degree of instability (expansion) was significantly higher (median 2.5 vs 2.0, P = 0.026) in participants with a diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) compared to those without. FMR1 mRNA expression was significantly higher in subjects with any psychiatric disorder diagnosis (P = 0.0017); specifically, in those with ADHD (P = 0.009), and with depression (P = 0.025). Somatic FMR1 expansion was associated with the presence of ADHD in female PM and FMR1 mRNA levels were associated with the presence of mental health disorders. The findings of our research are innovative as they suggest a potential role of the CGG expansion in the clinical phenotype of PM and may potentially guide clinical prognosis and management.

Motor Proficiency, Manual Dexterity, and Visual Perception in School-age Children With ADHD: Contribution of Different Comorbidities

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is often comorbid with a number of other psychiatric conditions. The goal of this study was to investigate whether motor skills, manual dexterity, and visual perception differ in the presence of ADHD and comorbid psychiatric conditions in school-age boys by comparing them to a group of children with typical development (TD). We evaluated 81 boys 6 to 10 years of age in 5 groups: ADHD only (n=18); ADHD+specific learning disorders (ADHD+SLDs) (n=17); ADHD+oppositional defiant disorder (n=16); ADHD+anxiety disorders (n=15); and TD (n=15). The participants with ADHD only and those with ADHD+comorbidity had significantly lower scores than the participants in the TD group in every area we evaluated. The lowest scores were observed in the ADHD+SLD group in all motor skills domains except for the fine motor precision field. Furthermore, the group with ADHD+SLD had statistically significantly lower scores than the 3 other groups with ADHD+comorbidity in 3 areas: balance, upper extremity coordination, and speed and agility. Motor problems in patients with ADHD and comorbid conditions may not be a focus of attention in clinics. However, especially in the case of comorbid conditions accompanying ADHD, it is important to consider problems in motor skills, manual dexterity, and visual perception in evaluation and treatment to increase these children's quality of life.

The association between dietary polyphenol intake and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: a case-control study

BackgroundPrevious research found that diets high in fruits and vegetables improved symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Nevertheless, the relationship between dietary polyphenol intake and the risk of ADHD was not assessed.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to see if there was a relationship between dietary polyphenol intake and the risk of ADHD in children in preschool and elementary school.MethodsA total of 400 children aged 4 to 12 years old participated in this case-control research (200 children with diagnosed ADHD and 200 healthy controls). The presence of ADHD was diagnosed according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-V criteria. To calculate dietary polyphenol intake, a 168-item food frequency questionnaire and the Phenol-Explorer database were used.ResultsA significant negative association was observed between one unit increase in dietary polyphenol intake and risk of ADHD (OR: 0.995, 95% CI = 0.994 to 0.996, P < 0.001) in the crude model. This finding was still significant even after adjusting for body mass index, energy intake, socioeconomic status, gender, and age (OR: 0.992, 95% CI = 0.989 to 0.995, P < 0.001).ConclusionWe found that the increased dietary intake of polyphenols is associated with a lower risk of ADHD in preschool and school children. Prospective studies are needed to corroborate these observations.

Incidence and risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and learning disability by adulthood after traumatic brain injury in childhood: a population-based birth cohort study

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to understand the risk of developing attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or learning disability (LD) after childhood traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a population-based birth cohort. Cases of TBI for children from birth to 10 years were confirmed and stratified by severity of injury. For each TBI case, two age-matched and sex-matched referents without TBI were identified from the same birth cohort. Presence of ADHD and LD before age 19 were confirmed using medical and/or school records. Associations between TBI exposure and subsequent ADHD or LD were assessed in multivariable Cox regression models, adjusting for maternal age, education, and race. The incidence rate of TBI before age 10 was 1,156 per 100,000 person-years. Children who had a TBI before age 10 were more likely to have met the research criteria for ADHD (hazard ratio [HR], 1.68; 95% CI, 1.15–2.45) or LD (HR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.00–1.68) by age 19. No statistically significant associations were shown between TBI and ADHD or LD when restricted to definite and probable TBI cases (consistent with moderate to severe and mild TBI, respectively) and their referents. Significant associations were shown when the analysis was confined to possible TBI cases (consistent with concussive TBI) and their referents (ADHD: HR, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.31–3.20; and LD: HR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.05–1.91). Increased risk for developing ADHD and LD by adulthood was shown particularly for children with the least-severe injuries, indicating that factors other than trauma-related altered brain function likely contribute to this risk.

La relación entre el biomarcador índice digital D2:D4 y el diagnóstico psicopedagógico de TDAH. Datos de un estudio

The digital ratio D2:D4 (length of the index finger between the length of the ring finger) is a biomarker that reports the presence of high levels of testosterone during the prenatal period. A differential digital pattern (D2 &lt; D4) has been found in several disorders (ASD or Klinefelter’s syndrome) although data for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are not conclusive (Stevenson et al., 2007; Wang et al., 2017). The aim of this paper was to determine whether digital ratio can be used as an indicator in the psychoeducational diagnosis of ADHD. A sample of 82 students of both sexes aged between 6 and 16 years (M = 11.77, SD = 2.97) from the Andalusian Community was taken. Among the members of the sample there were no differences in terms of sex, age, or cognitive level. The sample was divided into two groups, the group with a psycho-pedagogical diagnosis of ADHD and the control or undiagnosed group. The group with ADHD consisted of 42 subjects and the control group consisted of 46 subjects. All sessions were conducted individually for each of the subjects and their families following these guidelines: the session began with the parent signing a consent form that allowed the therapist to proceed with the intervention. After that, the TONI-2 non-verbal intelligence test was given to the child by the therapist in a quiet room. At the same time, the parents responded to the Conners Scale questions on behaviour at home to verify the existence or not of behavioural symptoms compatible with the presence of ADHD. For parents of children with ADHD diagnosis, an interview was conducted to learn about the course of the disease to have a general profile of the patient and his or her disorder. Finally, the participants’ right hand was scanned at the same school with an HP DeskJet 2630 scanner printer. Using the scanner and the Adobe Photoshop® tool, the length of the index and ring fingers was measured [(from proximal line of the finger to the end of the distal phalanx of the index (D2) and ring (D4) fingers]. The digital measurements from the scanned images were taken by the two researchers who signed the work, and there was more than 90 % agreement on the measurements. The results show a lower digital index in participants in the ADHD group (.945) versus the control group (.995), these differences being significant (p = 0.000), regardless of gender. In addition, the presence of certain behaviours in the home environment (measured with the Conners Scale) correlates positively with a low value of the digital index (r = .47; p = .001) and with the psycho-pedagogical diagnosis of ADHD. Significant differences have been shown in this study. Subjects with a psychopedagogical diagnosis of ADHD have been exposed to higher levels of testosterone during pregnancy since they present a lower D2:D4 ratio compared to the participants in the control group (without a diagnosis of ADHD), in line with the work of Martel et al. (2008) and Wang et al. (2017). In addition, this study has found that the group with psychopedagogical diagnosis of ADHD has a shorter index finger than the ring finger in both boys and girls, while for the control group the digital pattern is reversed or there is no difference between the two fingers. Therefore, we consider that the digital ratio biomarker (D2:D4) may be an additional useful criterion for the psychopedagogical diagnosis of ADHD or at least as a screening method. https://doi.org/10.16888/interd.2022.39.2.14

Social and Nonsocial Autism Symptom Domains in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Insights into Their Symptomatological Interplay

Introduction: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) share overlapping symptomatology, particularly with regard to social impairments (including peer relationship difficulties), and they frequently co-occur. However, the nature of their co-occurrence remains unclear. Therefore, the current study aimed to examine the nature of the transdiagnostic link between ASD and ADHD from a symptomatological point of view measured with the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS Module 3) and the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R). Methods: We analyzed the social and nonsocial ASD symptom domain scores from both diagnostic instruments in 4 clinically referred groups (i.e., ASD, ADHD, ASD + ADHD, and no psychiatric diagnosis) without other co-occurring mental disorders using a two-by-two full-factorial MANOVA design with the factors ASD (yes/no) and ADHD (yes/no). Results: We found no ASD by ADHD interaction effects across all symptom domain scores of ADOS and ADI-R, except for ADOS imagination/creativity. There were only main effects of the factor ASD but no main effects of ADHD. Follow-up contrasts showed that exclusively, ASD had an impact on the measured symptomatology in case of co-occurring ASD + ADHD. Conclusion: Overall, the results support an additive model of the symptomatology across areas of communication, social interaction, and stereotyped behaviors and restricted interests in case of the co-occurrence of ASD and ADHD when assessed with ADOS/ADI-R. Thus, one can assume that the phenotypic overlap of ASD + ADHD may be less complicated than suspected – at least with regard to ASD symptomatology – and that in the presence of ADHD, ASD symptomatology is generally well measurable with best-practice diagnostic instruments.

ADHD and DIRAS Single Nucleotide Polymorphism as an Indicator of Prolonged Concussion Recovery

The purpose of this study was to determine the association between the presence of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP; rs1412005) within DIRAS2 (i.e., a gene associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and prolonged recovery following a sport-related concussion. A case-control study design was implemented, where cases and controls were selected from a cohort of 117 deidentified concussed athletes. Eleven samples from this patient cohort self-reported ADHD diagnosis and were age and sex-matched to 22 participants with no self-reported ADHD diagnoses. The average recovery times were 21.50 + 13.96 days and 15.66 + 8.50 days for the case and control groups, respectively. The authors found that only 13.6% of the individuals without an ADHD diagnosis recovered in &gt; 30 days (p = 0.044). Also, the authors found that 72.7% of the carriers of the T allele (i.e., minor allele) recovered in greater than 30 days (p = 0.213). Researchers concluded that individuals with ADHD had a higher risk of prolonged concussion recovery lasting greater than 30 days. Also, carrying the rare allele was associated with prolonged recovery, which suggests this SNP could be a potential genetic marker for both prolonged concussion recovery and the presence of ADHD.

Reactive and proactive aggression in clinical adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: The moderating role of gender and comorbidities.

Aggression is well-known problem in adolescent with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), but the precise relation of reactive and proactive aggression by gender and comorbidities has not been characterized in this population. The aim of this study was to assess the level of reactive and proactive aggression in adolescents with ADHD and in matched non-ADHD clinical controls. The level of aggression was assessed by the Reactive and Proactive Aggression Questionnaire in 391 adolescents with ADHD and in 391 matched non-ADHD clinical controls. The selection of adolescents with ADHD was representative for a three-year-long period in Vadaskert Child Psychiatry Hospital. General Linear Model was used to assess the difference by ADHD, gender, and comorbidities on the level of reactive and proactive aggression. The presence of ADHD was associated with higher levels of reactive and proactive aggression. In girls, the effect of ADHD on reactive aggression was more profound. The presence of oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorder in both groups resulted in higher levels of aggression. Our data suggest that adolescents with ADHD have higher level of aggressive behavior, and girls are especially vulnerable in terms of reactive aggressive behavior.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in youth with psychosis spectrum symptoms

BackgroundChildhood attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is common in psychotic disorders. However, prevalence estimates vary widely and the impact of ADHD on the severity of psychotic symptoms and associated features is unclear. We used the Philadelphia Neurodevelopmental Cohort (PNC; n = 9498 youth age 8–21), which includes a comprehensive structured interview of clinical symptoms and the Penn Computerized Neurocognitive Battery (CNB), to clarify the prevalence of ADHD in psychosis spectrum (PS) youth and determine if comorbid ADHD is associated with severity of psychotic symptoms and cognitive impairment. MethodsPrevalence of ADHD among PS youth was established by comparing PS youth to all other youth in the PNC cohort. Cognition was compared between four groups: typically developing (TD), ADHD, PS without ADHD (PS-ADHD), and PS with ADHD (PS+ADHD). To evaluate the impact of ADHD on psychosis symptomatology, severity of positive and negative psychotic symptoms was compared between PS-ADHD and PS+ADHD groups. ResultsADHD was more prevalent in PS youth compared to non-PS youth (45% vs. 20%). Cognition was significantly impaired in PS youth compared to TD youth, but the presence of ADHD in PS youth was not associated with greater cognitive impairment. Co-morbid ADHD was, however, associated with more severe psychosis symptoms in PS youth. ConclusionADHD is more common among PS youth compared to youth without PS symptoms and is associated with more severe psychotic symptoms, but not severity of cognitive impairment. The association between ADHD and psychotic disorders may be mediated by psychosis symptoms in youth and may manifest a more stable cognitive impairment.

A Robust Machine Learning Based Framework for the Automated Detection of ADHD Using Pupillometric Biomarkers and Time Series Analysis

Accurate and efficient detection of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is critical to ensure proper treatment for affected individuals. Current clinical examinations, however, are inefficient and prone to misdiagnosis, as they rely on qualitative observations of perceived behavior. We propose a robust machine learning based framework that analyzes pupil-size dynamics as an objective biomarker for the automated detection of ADHD. Our framework integrates a comprehensive pupillometric feature engineering and visualization pipeline with state-of-the-art binary classification algorithms and univariate feature selection. The support vector machine classifier achieved an average 85.6% area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC), 77.3% sensitivity, and 75.3% specificity using ten-fold nested cross-validation (CV) on a declassified dataset of 50 patients. 218 of the 783 engineered features, including fourier transform metrics, absolute energy, consecutive quantile changes, approximate entropy, aggregated linear trends, as well as pupil-size dilation velocity, were found to be statistically significant differentiators (p < 0.05), and provide novel behavioral insights into associations between pupil-size dynamics and the presence of ADHD. Despite a limited sample size, the strong AUROC values highlight the robustness of the binary classifiers in detecting ADHD—as such, with additional data, sensitivity and specificity metrics can be substantially augmented. This study is the first to apply machine learning based methods for the detection of ADHD using solely pupillometrics, and highlights its strength as a potential discriminative biomarker, paving the path for the development of novel diagnostic applications to aid in the detection of ADHD using oculometric paradigms and machine learning.

The Potential Role of Dopamine in Mediating Motor Function and Interpersonal Synchrony

Motor functions in general and motor planning in particular are crucial for our ability to synchronize our movements with those of others. To date, these co-occurring functions have been studied separately, and as yet it is unclear whether they share a common biological mechanism. Here, we synthesize disparate recent findings on motor functioning and interpersonal synchrony and propose that these two functions share a common neurobiological mechanism and adhere to the same principles of predictive coding. Critically, we describe the pivotal role of the dopaminergic system in modulating these two distinct functions. We present attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as an example of a disorder that involves the dopaminergic system and describe deficits in motor and interpersonal synchrony. Finally, we suggest possible directions for future studies emphasizing the role of dopamine modulation as a link between social and motor functioning.

Effects of the dopamine transporter gene on neuroimaging findings in different attention deficit hyperactivity disorder presentations.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a phenotipically and neurobiologically heterogeneous disorder. Deficiencies at different levels in response inhibition, differences in dopamine transporter genotype (DAT1) and various symptomatic presentations contribute to ADHD heterogeneity. Integrating these three aspects into a functional neuroimaging research could help unreval specific neurobiological components of more phenotipically homogeneous groups of patients with ADHD. During the Go-NoGo trial, we investigated the effect of the DAT1 gene using 3T MRI in 72 ADHD cases and 24 (TD) controls that typically developed between the ages 8 and 15years. In the total ADHD group, DAT1 predicted homozygosity for the 10R allele and hypoactivation in the anterior cingulate cortex and paracingulate cortex. There were no significant activation differences between DAT1 10R/10R homozygotes and 9R carriers in TD controls. Subjects with predominantly inattentive ADHD (ADHD-I) presentation with DAT1 10R/10R homozygous reduced neuronal activation during Go trial particularly in the frontal regions and insular cortex, and in the parietal regions during NoGo trial (brain regions reported as part of Default Mode Network- DMN). Additionally, DAT1 10R/10R homozygousness was associated with increased occipital zone activation during only the Go trial in the ADHD combined presentation (ADHD-C) group. Our results point the three main findings: 1) The DAT1 gene is 10R homozygous for differentiated brain activation in ADHD cases but not in the TD controls, supporting the DAT1 gene as a potential marker for ADHD, 2) The relationship between the DAT1 gene and the occipital regions in ADHD-C group which may reflect compensatory mechanisms, 3) The relationship between DAT1 gene and the reduced DMN suppression for 9R carriers probabaly stems from the ADHD-I group.