Different brain functional network abnormalities between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder youth with and without familial risk for bipolar disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) commonly precedes the initial onset of mania in youth with familial risk for bipolar disorder (BD). Although ADHD youth with and without BD familial risk exhibit different clinical features, associated neuropathophysiological mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study aimed to identify brain functional network abnormalities associated with ADHD in youth with and without familial risk for BD. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans were acquired from 37 ADHD youth with a family history of BD (high-risk), 45 ADHD youth without a family history of BD (low-risk), and 32 healthy controls (HC). Individual whole-brain functional networks were constructed, and graph theory analysis was applied to estimate network topological metrics. Topological metrics, including network efficiency, small-worldness and nodal centrality, were compared across groups, and associations between topological metrics and clinical ratings were evaluated. Compared to HC, low-risk ADHD youth exhibited weaker global integration (i.e., decreased global efficiency and increased characteristic path length), while high-risk ADHD youth showed a disruption of localized network components with decreased frontoparietal and frontolimbic connectivity. Common topological deficits were observed in the medial superior frontal gyrus between low- and high-risk ADHD. Distinct network deficits were found in the inferior parietal lobule and corticostriatal circuitry. Associations between global topological metrics and externalizing symptoms differed significantly between the two ADHD groups. Different patterns of functional network topological abnormalities were found in high- as compared to low-risk ADHD, suggesting that ADHD in youth with BD familial risk may represent a phenotype that is different from ADHD alone.

Automated summary

This study aimed to investigate the neuropathophysiological mechanisms associated with ADHD in youth with and without familial risk for bipolar disorder. The findings revealed significant brain functional network abnormalities in youth with familial risk for bipolar disorder, characterized by decreased connectivity in the frontoparietal and frontolimbic networks. Distinct abnormalities were found in the inferior parietal lobule and corticostriatal circuitry. These results suggest that ADHD in youth with familial risk for bipolar disorder may represent a distinct phenotype from ADHD alone.