Altered White Matter Integrity in ADHD Revealed by Meta-analysis of Tract-based Spatial Statistics

Objective: We conducted an updated coordinate-based meta-analysis (CBMA) to determine the most prominent and robust white matter (WM) abnormalities in ADHD based on tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) findings. Method: The seed-based d mapping (SDM) software was applied to compare regional fractional anisotropy (FA) alterations in ADHD. Subgroup meta-analyses in the pure ADHD without comorbidity subgroup, the children and adolescents subgroup, and the adults subgroup were also explored, respectively. Meta-regression analysis was subsequently used to examine potential correlations between demographics and FA changes. Results: Only one cluster in the splenium of corpus callosum (CC) exhibited age-related FA decrease in ADHD individuals in the pooled meta-analysis. The adults ADHD subgroup revealed two clusters with reduced FA lied in the splenium and body of CC. Conclusion: This updated CBMA confirmed the WM abnormalities in the splenium of CC in ADHD, and improved our understanding of the pathogenesis of this neurodevelopmental disorder. (J. of Att. Dis. XXXX; XX(X) XX-XX)

Automated summary

This study conducted an updated coordinate-based meta-analysis (CBMA) combined with tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) to determine the most prominent and robust white matter abnormalities in ADHD patients. The results showed that age-related FA decrease in the splenium of corpus callosum (CC) was observed in ADHD individuals, and reduced FA clusters were found in the splenium and body of CC in adults with ADHD. This study provides new insights into the pathogenesis of ADHD.