Characteristics of brain networks in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Functional abnormalities in brain networks are considered as potential neurobiological mechanisms underlying attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD).Currently,significant progress has been made in the exploration of the brain functional characteristics and network mechanisms of ADHD chil-dren using non-invasive neuroimaging technologies such as functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI)and functional near-infrared spectroscopy(fNIRS).This study summarized the latest results of multimodal research on functional brain network of children with ADHD,and took into account the latest progress of structural brain network.In terms of the structural characteristics of brain networks,abnormal gray matter features exist in core nodes of the default network,salience network,and central executive network,as well as in subcortical structures(thinner prefrontal and cingulate cortices,smaller amygdala and caudate nucleus vol-umes)in children with ADHD.Additionally,there are anomalies in the development of white matter fiber tract connections.Regarding the functional characteristics of brain networks during resting state,children with ADHD demonstrate atypical development in the functional integration across networks,which is also cor-related with the manifestation of ADHD symptoms.In regions associated with the salience network and de-fault network,children with ADHD show stronger coupling between brain structure and resting-state functional connectivity compared to typically developing children.During executive control tasks,both fMRI and fNIRS consistently reveal insufficient activation in the right frontal lobe of children with ADHD.fNIRS further de-tects abnormal brain activity related to the default network and central executive network in children with ADHD during tasks requiring functional engagement.Different clinical subtypes of children with ADHD ex-hibit stable and identifiable characteristics in the organizational patterns of brain functional networks.