Diffusion tensor imaging in attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis

• Published in: Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews Vol. 36; no. 4; pp. 1093 - 1106
• Main Authors: VAN EWIJK, Hanneke, HESLENFELD, Dirk J, ZWIERS, Marcel P, BUITELAAR, Jan K, OOSTERLAAN, Jaap
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier 01.04.2012
• Subjects: Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - pathology; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - psychology; Attention deficit disorders. Hyperactivity; Behavior - physiology; Behavioral psychophysiology; Biological and medical sciences; Brain - pathology; Child clinical studies; Cognition - physiology; Diffusion Tensor Imaging - methods; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; Likelihood Functions; Medical sciences; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; ADHD; Mean Diffusivity; Review; White matter; Diffusion tensor imaging; Metaanalysis; Anisotropy; Structural connectivity; DWI; DTI; GingerALE; Attention disorder with hyperactivity; ALE
• ISSN: 0149-7634; 1873-7528
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2012.01.003

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) allows in vivo examination of the microstructural integrity of white matter brain tissue. A systematic review and quantitative meta-analysis using GingerALE were undertaken to compare current DTI findings in patients with ADHD and healthy controls to further unravel the neurobiological underpinnings of the disorder. Online databases were searched for DTI studies comparing white matter integrity between ADHD patients and healthy controls. Fifteen studies met inclusion criteria. Alterations in white matter integrity were found in widespread areas, most consistently so in the right anterior corona radiata, right forceps minor, bilateral internal capsule, and left cerebellum, areas previously implicated in the pathophysiology of the disorder. Current literature is critically discussed in terms of its important methodological limitations and challenges, and guidelines for future DTI research are provided. While more research is needed, DTI proves to be a promising technique, providing new prospects and challenges for future research into the pathophysiology of ADHD.