Neurochemical Correlates of Executive Functions in Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract

The current study investigated spectroscopic biomarkers in children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and examined neurochemical correlates of Executive Function (EF). Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (1H-MRS; TE = 30ms) was conducted in the right prefrontal cortex (RPFC) and left striatum (LS). Twenty-one children with ADHD and 15 control participants took part. Both groups completed performance-based EF tasks. Results indicated lower concentrations of glutamate (p = .009), choline (p = .016), and N-acetyl aspartate (p = .029) in the RPFC in ADHD participants compared to controls. There were no significant differences in the LS. Positive correlations with glutamate concentration and performance in working memory and verbal fluency tasks in the control group were observed. No significant correlations were found in the ADHD group. Findings indicate neurochemical differences between children with ADHD and healthy controls. Additionally, decoupling effects of glutamate were observed indicating glutamate as a possible spectroscopic biomarker for ADHD and novel treatment target.