[Intensity of functional connection between bilateral hemispheres of children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder by functional magnetic resonance imaging].

Objective To explore the neural mechanisms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) through analyzing the intensity of functional connection between bilateral hemispheres of children with ADHD by resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). Methods The approach of voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity (VMHC) was employed to analyze 31 school-age and 31 ADHD children by rs-fMRI scans. Results Positively activated brain regions were visualized when comparing ADHD and normal children, suggesting that ADHD children's VMHC scores were higher in bilateral frontal lobe (t=5.81), bilateral occipital lobe (t=5.82) and bilateral cerebellar posterior lobe (t=6.17). Statistically significant differences existed between two groups (FDR correction, Q<0.01). Conclusions The increased intensity of functional connection between bilateral prefrontal lobes in children with ADHD reflects attention disorder and leads to a decline of working memory .The strengthening of bilateral occipital lobes slows down memory process. And the increased intensity of cerebellar connections may damage neural circuits and aggravate ADHD symptoms. Key words: Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging; Attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity; Children; Intensity of functional connection