Neurofunctional Markers of Adult ADHD

ADHD is one of the most prevalent childhood psychiatric disorders. It is characterized by inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity and is estimated to affect 5% of the worldwide population. Until recently, symptoms were thought to ameliorate with age. However, a recent 10 year follow-up study indicated that 35% of pediatric patients still meet criteria and it s been estimated that affects between 3 and 7% of adult population. Even thought the exact neurobiological substrate of ADHD still unclear, genetic, preclinical and clinical studies point to dopaminergic and/or noradrenergic alterations. Neural activity and grey matter volume decreases in dopamine related regions also corroborate such deficits. By performing a time estimation fMRI task,our results provide evidence that temporal processes, in addition to cognitive (i.e., attention) and motivational/emotional domains might be a third dissociable neuropsychological component that affects ADHD.

Autorentext

Marisol Picado is a psychologist and a neuroimaging researcher. She is currently a researcher in the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology Department in the Hospital Clinic in Barcelona. She received her Ph.D. in Pychiatry and Cognitive Neuroscience at the Autonomous University of Barcelona in 2013.