Anterior cingulate cortex alterations in children and adolescents with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder: a systematic review of neuroimaging studies.
Tonia Salem, Hayat Harati, Marwa Summaka
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review examines neuroimaging studies of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in children and adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). It highlights significant structural and functional alterations in the ACC compared to typically developing controls. Key findings include reduced gray matter volume and diminished ACC activation during inhibitory control tasks, indicating a coherent neurobiological pattern in pediatric ADHD.
Key findings
- Reduced gray matter volume and cortical thinning in the ACC were observed in ADHD patients.
- Diminished ACC activation during inhibitory control tasks was reported.
- Resting-state analyses showed hypo-connectivity between the ACC and regulatory brain regions.
- EEG studies indicated attenuated N2/P3 amplitudes and disrupted theta oscillations.
Why it matters
Understanding the neurobiological alterations in the ACC associated with ADHD can inform clinicians about the underlying mechanisms of the disorder, potentially guiding more effective interventions and management strategies for affected children and adolescents.