Increased white matter connectivity in traumatized children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Abstract

To distinguish between the consequences of trauma exposure and those of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), we compared brain diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of children according to the diagnosis and the presence of a potentially traumatic event (PTE). The Early Trauma Inventory Self Report-Short Form (ETISR-SF) was used for the assessment of PTEs. Subjects who experienced any traumatic event were placed in the PTE group, and subjects who did not experience such a traumatic event were placed in the non-PTE group. We examined the interactions between ADHD and PTEs in brain [fractional anisotropy (FA) values and mean diffusivity (MD) values] in 54 children with ADHD (29 with PTEs and 25 without PTEs) and 41 controls (18 with PTEs and 23 without PTEs). Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) revealed main effects of ADHD for FA and MD values in several white matter tracts in the absence of main effects for PTEs. In addition, there was a significant ADHD-PTEs interaction in relation to FA and MD values in several white matter tracts. Further longitudinal studies in a larger sample are warranted to evaluate the neurobiological sequelae related to childhood trauma, ADHD, and interaction between the two.

Keywords: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder; Diffusion tensor imaging; Trauma.