CHSU Discovery

Background:

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common childhood neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.1 • While the exact cause of ADHD is still unknown, research has shown that individuals with ADHD often have lower levels of activity in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) which plays a critical role in regulating attention, behavior, emotion, and the dopamine system.2 • Various neuroimaging studies have demonstrated that children and adults with ADHD have structural and functional abnormalities in the PFC, including:2 • Reduced gray matter volume • Altered neural activation patterns • Disrupted connectivity with other brain regions • To assess differences in the brain systems that underlie ADHD, modern psychiatric research has increased the utilization of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) which measures brain activity by detecting changes in cerebral blood flow.3 • Understanding the role of the PFC in ADHD is important for developing effective treatments that target this brain region.