Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is thought to affect 1 to 3% of children, while attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) impacts an estimated 5 to 8% of children, worldwide. They are well known neurodevelopmental issues that often occur together; it's thought that about 60% of people with ASD exhibit ADHD symptoms too. ASD can cause repetitive behaviors, difficulties with communication, and unusual sensitivity to stimuli like light or sound. In ADHD, patients are typically hyperactive, impulsive, and inattentive, and they have a hard time concentrating or staying focused for long periods.
Scientists are trying to tease apart the differences and find the commonalities among the mechanisms that drive these conditions. Scientists have now analyzed a large amount of data regarding connectivity patterns in the brains of kids who have been diagnosed with ADHD and/or ASD. It included data from over 12,000 kids, about half of whom were neurotypical while the others had been diagnosed with one or both disorders.
This study aimed to reveal more about whether the resting states of ASD and ADHD brains are different, or if the disorders have similar underlying mechanisms. The thalamus is a central hub where sensory and motor signals come together, and the putamen is related to learning and movement; the investigators focused on these areas as well as some others that are related to attention, emotion, and self-awareness.
This work, which was reported in Nature Mental Health, has shown that there are different connectivity patterns underlying these disorders. ASD was linked to weaker functional connections between the different regions, while ADHD was associated with stronger functional connections between those regions.
In both ASD and ADHD patients, there has been evidence of hyperconnectivity between networks, compared to neurotypical individuals. Still, this work has suggested that the neural patterns underlying these disorders are unique.
This information could help scientists create new approaches in ASD or ADHD diagnostics or therapeutics that are more tailored to each condition, which could significantly improve outcomes for patients and their families.
Sources: Medical Express, Nature Mental Health
