Study of white matter integrity in fathers of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Abstract

Abstract Background Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is an early-onset neurodevelopmental disorder that can extend into adulthood with multiple reported neuroimaging abnormalities. The focus of this research was to assess white matter impairments in ADHD children’s fathers with and without potential adult ADHD to see if these differences are connected with the persistence of ADHD into adulthood. Results The occurrence rate of the potential adult ADHD diagnosis among fathers of children with ADHD was 60%. There were statistically significant differences between fathers with ADHD and the non-ADHD population, due to the fact that the mean FA of the left superior corona radiata and the right posterior corona radiata were lower in the ADHD group than in the non-ADHD group, while the FA of the ADHD group was significantly greater than that of the non-ADHD group in terms of the left and right anterior thalamic radiations, the right superior longitudinal fasciculus and the left anterior corona radiata. Conclusions We observed an increased prevalence of ADHD in fathers of children diagnosed with ADHD. Fathers with potential adult ADHD have a variety of white matter abnormalities that reflect the neurobiological basis of ADHD, even in sub-threshold cases. This may provide insight into the neuroanatomical locations associated with the maintenance of ADHD throughout adulthood.

Keywords

• ADHD
• DTI
• White matter
• Adult ADHD