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The devil is in the detail: exploring the intrinsic neural mechanisms that link attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptomatology to ongoing cognition

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 December 2018

Deniz Vatansever Open the ORCID record for Deniz Vatansever [Opens in a new window] ,
Natali S. Bozhilova ,
Philip Asherson  and
Jonathan Smallwood
Deniz Vatansever*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of York, Heslington, York, UK York Neuroimaging Centre, University of York, Heslington, York, UK Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
Natali S. Bozhilova
Affiliation:
Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Psychology and Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK
Philip Asherson
Affiliation:
Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Psychology and Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK
Jonathan Smallwood
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of York, Heslington, York, UK York Neuroimaging Centre, University of York, Heslington, York, UK
*
Author for correspondence: Deniz Vatansever, E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Background

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a developmental condition that profoundly affects quality of life. Although mounting evidence now suggests uncontrolled mind-wandering as a core aspect of the attentional problems associated with ADHD, the neural mechanisms underpinning this deficit remains unclear. To that extent, competing views argue for (i) excessive generation of task-unrelated mental content, or (ii) deficiency in the control of task-relevant cognition.

Methods

In a cross-sectional investigation of a large neurotypical cohort (n = 184), we examined alterations in the intrinsic brain functional connectivity architecture of the default mode (DMN) and frontoparietal (FPN) networks during resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging in relation to ADHD symptomatology, which could potentially underlie changes in ongoing thought within variable environmental contexts.

Results

The results illustrated that ADHD symptoms were linked to lower levels of detail in ongoing thought while the participants made more difficult, memory based decisions. Moreover, greater ADHD scores were associated with lower levels of connectivity between the DMN and right sensorimotor cortex, and between the FPN and right ventral visual cortex. Finally, a combination of high levels of ADHD symptomology with reduced FPN connectivity to the visual cortex was associated with reduced levels of detail in thought.

Conclusions

The results of our study suggest that the frequent mind-wandering observed in ADHD may be an indirect consequence of the deficient control of ongoing cognition in response to increasing environmental demands, and that this may partly arise from dysfunctions in the intrinsic organisation of the FPN at rest.

Keywords

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorderdefault mode networkfrontoparietal networkfunctional connectivitymind-wanderingongoing thought
Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 49 , Issue 7 , May 2019 , pp. 1185 - 1194
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2018 

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