The amygdala in adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: Structural and functional correlates of delay aversion

TY - JOUR

T1 - The amygdala in adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

T2 - Structural and functional correlates of delay aversion

AU - Van Dessel, Jeroen

AU - Sonuga-Barke, Edmund

AU - Moerkerke, Matthijs

AU - Van der Oord, Saskia

AU - Lemiere, Jurgen

AU - Morsink, Sarah

AU - Danckaerts, Marina

PY - 2019/4/2

Y1 - 2019/4/2

N2 - Objectives: Recent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies implicate structural alterations of amygdala, a brain region responsible for processing and experiencing negative emotions, in adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Here we examined ADHD-related structural correlates of amygdala functional activity elicited during a functional MRI task designed to test behavioural and brain responses to the imposition of delay–an event known to both elicit amygdala hyperactivation and aversity in ADHD. Methods: Structural MRI scans from 28 right-handed male adolescents with combined type ADHD and 32 age-matched controls were analysed. Regional grey matter volumes of ADHD and control participants (P[FWE] < 0.05) were correlated with delay aversion self-ratings and neural activity in response to delay-related cues on the Escape Delay Incentive fMRI task. Results: ADHD was associated with significantly reduced volumes in bilateral amygdala, parahippocampal and temporal gyrus (P[FWE] < 0.05), greater basolateral amygdala activation to delay-related cues (P[FWE] < 0.05) and higher delay aversion self-ratings. Amygdala volume reductions were significantly correlated with, and statistically mediated the pathway from ADHD to, delay-cue-related amygdala hyperactivity (P < 0.01) and self-reported delay aversion (P < 0.01). Conclusions: We provide the first evidence of the functional significance of reduced amygdala volumes in adolescents with ADHD by highlighting its relation to delay-induced brain activity that is linked to delay aversion.

AB - Objectives: Recent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies implicate structural alterations of amygdala, a brain region responsible for processing and experiencing negative emotions, in adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Here we examined ADHD-related structural correlates of amygdala functional activity elicited during a functional MRI task designed to test behavioural and brain responses to the imposition of delay–an event known to both elicit amygdala hyperactivation and aversity in ADHD. Methods: Structural MRI scans from 28 right-handed male adolescents with combined type ADHD and 32 age-matched controls were analysed. Regional grey matter volumes of ADHD and control participants (P[FWE] < 0.05) were correlated with delay aversion self-ratings and neural activity in response to delay-related cues on the Escape Delay Incentive fMRI task. Results: ADHD was associated with significantly reduced volumes in bilateral amygdala, parahippocampal and temporal gyrus (P[FWE] < 0.05), greater basolateral amygdala activation to delay-related cues (P[FWE] < 0.05) and higher delay aversion self-ratings. Amygdala volume reductions were significantly correlated with, and statistically mediated the pathway from ADHD to, delay-cue-related amygdala hyperactivity (P < 0.01) and self-reported delay aversion (P < 0.01). Conclusions: We provide the first evidence of the functional significance of reduced amygdala volumes in adolescents with ADHD by highlighting its relation to delay-induced brain activity that is linked to delay aversion.

KW - ADHD

KW - amygdala

KW - delay aversion

KW - functional magnetic resonance imaging

KW - voxel-based morphometry

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85063933059&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1080/15622975.2019.1585946

DO - 10.1080/15622975.2019.1585946

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85063933059

SN - 1562-2975

JO - World Journal of Biological Psychiatry

JF - World Journal of Biological Psychiatry

ER -