scholarly journals Correlation between brain function and ADHD symptom changes in children with ADHD following a few-foods diet: an open-label intervention trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saartje Hontelez ◽  
Tim Stobernack ◽  
Lidy M. Pelsser ◽  
Peter van Baarlen ◽  
Klaas Frankena ◽  
...  

AbstractResearch into the effect of nutrition on attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children has shown that the few-foods diet (FFD) substantially decreases ADHD symptoms in 60% of children. However, the underlying mechanism is unknown. In this open-label nutritional intervention study we investigated whether behavioural changes after following an FFD are associated with changes in brain function during inhibitory control in 79 boys with ADHD, aged 8–10 years. Parents completed the ADHD Rating Scale before (t1) and after the FFD (t2). Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans were acquired during a stop-signal task at t1 and t2, and initial subject-level analyses were done blinded for ARS scores. Fifty (63%) participants were diet responders, showing a decrease of ADHD symptoms of at least 40%. Fifty-three children had fMRI scans of sufficient quality for further analysis. Region-of-interest analyses demonstrated that brain activation in regions implicated in the stop-signal task was not associated with ADHD symptom change. However, whole-brain analyses revealed a correlation between ADHD symptom decrease and increased precuneus activation (pFWE(cluster) = 0.015 for StopSuccess > Go trials and pFWE(cluster) < 0.001 for StopSuccess > StopFail trials). These results provide evidence for a neurocognitive mechanism underlying the efficacy of a few-foods diet in children with ADHD.

2018 ◽  
Vol 103 (9) ◽  
pp. 841-846 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daryl Efron ◽  
Kirsten Furley ◽  
Alisha Gulenc ◽  
Emma Sciberras

ObjectiveThis study investigated the associations between maternal symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and child functional outcomes in a community-based sample of children with and without ADHD.Design and settingIn this cohort study, children with ADHD and healthy controls were recruited through schools in Melbourne, Australia, using a combined screening (Conners 3 ADHD Index) and case confirmation (Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children Version IV) procedure.Patients117 children with ADHD and 149 control children were included in the analyses.Main outcome measuresMaternal ADHD symptoms (Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale) and child outcomes (ADHD severity, quality of life (QoL), academic competence, social-emotional functioning) were measured at a mean child age of 8.9 years.ResultsMothers of children with ADHD had clinically elevated ADHD symptoms compared with mothers of control children (adjusted analysis: 18.0% vs 2.0%, P<0.001). Elevated maternal ADHD symptoms were associated with greater child ADHD symptom severity and lower QoL by maternal report for children with (severity P=0.01; QoL P=0.003) and without (severity P=0.003; QoL P=0.003) ADHD. Elevated maternal ADHD symptoms were additionally associated with increased parent-rated emotional problems, peer problems and total impairment scores in children without ADHD (all P<0.01).ConclusionsMaternal ADHD symptoms are associated with increased ADHD symptom severity and reduced QoL by maternal report in offspring with or without ADHD, and have broader negative associations with emotional and social functioning in children without ADHD. In the evaluation of the referred children, maternal ADHD symptoms should be considered and referral made to adult services where indicated.


2020 ◽  
pp. 108705472094329
Author(s):  
Brittany Mann ◽  
Emma Sciberras ◽  
Jason He ◽  
George Youssef ◽  
Vicki Anderson ◽  
...  

Background: ADHD commonly occurs with sleep problems and secondary cognitive impairments such as inhibitory control. Sleep problems may explain attentional lapses and inhibition performance variability in children with ADHD. This study applied Bayesian analyses to examine the relationship between ADHD symptoms, sleep problems, and inhibition. Methods: Participants included 73 children with ADHD and 73 non-ADHD controls, aged 10.5 to 13.5 years. The Stop Signal Task measured inhibition. Sleep problems were measured with the Adolescent Sleep Wake Scale and parent-report. Results: ADHD symptoms are associated with sleep problems and reaction time variability, however, sleep problems accounted for more variance in inhibition performance than both hyperactive and inattentive symptoms. Conclusion: Sleep problems account for inhibition performance over and above ADHD symptom severity in children with and without ADHD diagnoses. This suggests clinical utility in assessing sleep in children with manifestations of ADHD, and interventions targeting sleep problems concurrently with behavioral symptoms. This further adds to the discussion on overdiagnosis of ADHD due to behavioral presentations of underlying sleep disorders. Treatment for phenotypes of ADHD could be enhanced by targeting sleep problems, in addition to inhibition deficits and attentional lapses.


2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 499-508 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie G. Craig ◽  
Margaret D. Weiss ◽  
Kristen L. Hudec ◽  
Christopher Gibbins

Objective: Children with ADHD display higher rates of sleep problems, and both sleep disorders and ADHD have been shown to affect functioning in childhood. The current study examines the frequency and relationship between sleep problems and ADHD, and their impact on quality of life (QoL) and functional impairment. Method: Parents of 192 children with ADHD ( M = 10.23 years) completed measures regarding their child’s ADHD symptoms (Swanson, Nolan and Pelham [SNAP]), sleep disorders (Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire [PSQ]), QoL (Child Health Illness Profile [CHIP-PE]), and functioning (Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale–Parent Report [WFIRS-P]). Results: Common sleep complaints in participants were insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), and variability in sleep schedule. Regression analysis indicated that sleep problems and ADHD symptoms independently predicted lower levels of QoL (Δ R2 = .12, p < .001) and social functioning (Δ R2 = .12, p < .001). Conclusion: The results suggest that ADHD may coexist with somnolence and that both conditions have a significant impact on a child’s functioning and QoL.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 856-872 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Weigard ◽  
Andrew Heathcote ◽  
Dóra Matzke ◽  
Cynthia Huang-Pollock

Mean stop-signal reaction time (SSRT) is frequently employed as a measure of response inhibition in cognitive neuroscience research on attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, this measurement model is limited by two factors that may bias SSRT estimation in this population: (a) excessive skew in “go” RT distributions and (b) trigger failures, or instances in which individuals fail to trigger an inhibition process in response to the stop signal. We used a Bayesian parametric approach that allows unbiased estimation of the shape of entire SSRT distributions and the probability of trigger failures to clarify mechanisms of stop-signal task deficits in ADHD. Children with ADHD displayed greater positive skew than their peers in both go RT and SSRT distributions. However, they also displayed more frequent trigger failures, which appeared to drive ADHD-related stopping difficulties. Results suggest that performance on the stop-signal task among children with ADHD reflects impairments in early attentional processes, rather than inefficiency in the stop process.


2020 ◽  
pp. 108705472092813
Author(s):  
Myrte J. M. van Langen ◽  
Branko M. van Hulst ◽  
Miriam Douma ◽  
Maarten Steffers ◽  
Nicolle M. H. van de Wiel ◽  
...  

Objective: This article aims to assess whether individual differences in reward sensitivity can be used to predict which children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) will benefit most from behavioral interventions that include reinforcement. Methods: A 12-week behavioral intervention was offered to 21 children with ADHD and their parents. Reward sensitivity was assessed prior to the intervention using a combination of psychological and physiological measures. ADHD symptoms were assessed pre- and posttreatment using the Strengths and Weaknesses of ADHD and Normal behavior (SWAN) rating scale. Results: Lower scores on one of the questionnaire scales were associated with greater pre/posttreatment differences in ADHD symptoms. Conclusion: We found that pre/posttreatment change was associated with one measure of parent-rated reward sensitivity. Children with low impulsive negative behavior toward gaining reward improved most during treatment. This result suggests that aspects of reward-related behaviors in ADHD may be useful to predict the effectiveness of treatment.


2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-40
Author(s):  
Alefiya Nomanbhoy ◽  
Russell Hawkins

Objectives: We wanted to determine: (1) whether ADHD symptoms were more common in mothers of children with ADHD; (2) whether mothers of children with ADHD differed in their parenting strategies; and (3) whether there was a difference in care-giving arrangements for children with ADHD and without ADHD. This was done by comparing mothers of children with ADHD with mothers of children without ADHD in Singapore. Methods: Mothers of children with ADHD ( n=46) and mothers of children without ADHD ( n=45) completed the Conners’ Parent Rating Scale-Revised, the Conners’ Adult ADHD Rating Scale-Self Report and the Alabama Parenting Questionnaire. Results: Mothers of children with ADHD did not report higher levels of current ADHD symptoms compared with the control group. However, they did use less adaptive parenting strategies. There were also no differences in the reported behaviours of children cared for by a paid worker and those cared for by mothers. Conclusions: Data support the Singapore Clinical Guidelines recommendations for the promotion of parenting skills, and referral to parenting programmes for parents of children with ADHD. The promotion of parenting skills and referral to parenting programmes for mothers of children with ADHD might include the option of electronic forms of programme delivery. The model of using paid help in the home, which is commonplace in Singapore, does not seem to disadvantage children with ADHD.


2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (13) ◽  
pp. 1246-1254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Barrett ◽  
George J. DuPaul

Objective: Examine the influence of maternal and child race on ADHD symptom ratings. Method: Participants were Black ( n = 63) and White ( n = 68) mothers randomly assigned to view a 13-min videotape of either a Black or White boy displaying similar levels of ADHD-related behaviors during free play and meal situations. Mothers then completed an ADHD rating scale. Results: With maternal age and socioeconomic status (SES) as covariates, Black mothers provided significantly higher ratings of inattentive and hyperactive–impulsive symptoms than did White mothers regardless of child race. The effect of child race was not statistically significant. Conclusions: Maternal race appears to be more important than child race in accounting for differences in ADHD symptom ratings between Black and White boys. It is critical to understand variables related to these differences and develop assessment measures that lead to equivalent, accurate diagnostic decisions across racial subgroups.


2012 ◽  
Vol 85 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Senderecka ◽  
Anna Grabowska ◽  
Jakub Szewczyk ◽  
Krzysztof Gerc ◽  
Roman Chmylak

2018 ◽  
Vol 48 (15) ◽  
pp. 2515-2521 ◽  
Author(s):  
Branko M. van Hulst ◽  
Patrick de Zeeuw ◽  
Chantal Vlaskamp ◽  
Yvonne Rijks ◽  
Bram B. Zandbelt ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundAttenuated inhibitory control is one of the most robust findings in the neuropsychology of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, it is unclear whether this represents a deficit in outright stopping (reactive inhibition), whether it relates to a deficit in anticipatory response slowing (proactive inhibition), or both. In addition, children with other development disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), often have symptoms of inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity similar to children with ADHD. These may relate to similar underlying changes in inhibitory processing.MethodsIn this study, we used a modified stop-signal task to dissociate reactive and proactive inhibition. We included not only children with ADHD, but also children primarily diagnosed with an ASD and high parent-rated levels of ADHD symptoms.ResultsWe replicated the well-documented finding of attenuated reactive inhibition in children with ADHD. In addition, we found a similar deficit in children with ASD and a similar level of ADHD symptoms. In contrast, we found no evidence for deficits in proactive inhibition in either clinical group.ConclusionsThese findings re-emphasize the role of reactive inhibition in children with ADHD and ADHD symptoms. Moreover, our findings stress the importance of a trans-diagnostic approach to the relationship between behavior and neuropsychology.


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