Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has become the most commonly diagnosed form of psychopathology in the preschool years. To address this alarming trend, the overall goal of the proposed investigation, """"""""Development of ADHD in Preschool Children: Neuroimaging and Behavioral Correlates"""""""" is to characterize the anomalous early development (brain, cognition, and behavior) of preschool children identified as at risk for ADHD, in order to better understand the neurodevelopmental pathways that lead to behavioral dysfunction and ultimately the diagnosis of ADHD, as well as those associated with normalization of behavior. This study proposes to uncover a critical link between brain and behavioral development in ADHD, which will contribute to identification of important early biomarkers for the disorder. Preschool children who present with symptoms of ADHD are at significant risk for social and academic dysfunction. Of particular concern are observations that preschoolers with ADHD have similar patterns of functional impairment as school-age children with ADHD, and that few are well-adjusted by adolescence, including higher rates of emergency room visits, and increased health care costs and societal costs. The costly toll that ADHD takes on individual adjustment, family life, schools, health care, and social services underscore the importance of understanding its developmental course, with the ultimate goal of earlier identification and treatment. Despite being a disorder (presently) requiring symptom onset by age 7 years, there have been few studies of longitudinal brain development in preschoolers presenting with symptoms of ADHD, and none involving neuroimaging. Consequently, the proposed study will use a longitudinal design in a mixed model of imaging and behavioral variables, to delineate and contrast the growth (from ages 4 to 7 years) of children identified as at risk for ADHD with that of age-matched typically developing children without symptoms of ADHD.
Aim #1 : To determine by quantitative MRI (aMRI), and as expressed in neuropsychological assessment, the anomalous development of brain regions (subcortical and cortical) and behavior among preschool children identified as at risk for ADHD.
Aim #2 : As a first step in identifying those preschoolers most at risk, we will determine the trajectory of development (from ages 4 to 7 years) of brain regions and associated neuropsychological functioning among preschool children identified as at risk for ADHD.

Public Health Relevance

The goal of the proposed investigation, Development of ADHD in Preschool Children: Neuroimaging and Behavioral Correlates is to characterize the anomalous early development (brain anatomy, cognition, and behavior) of preschool children identified as at risk for ADHD, in order to better understand the neurodevelopmental pathways that lead to behavioral dysfunction and ultimately the diagnosis of ADHD, as well as those associated with normalization of behavior. This study proposes to uncover a critical link between brain and behavioral development in ADHD, which will contribute to identification of important early biomarkers for the disorder.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HD068425-03
Application #
8606755
Study Section
Child Psychopathology and Developmental Disabilities Study Section (CPDD)
Program Officer
Griffin, James
Project Start
2012-02-10
Project End
2017-01-31
Budget Start
2014-02-01
Budget End
2015-01-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
$581,127
Indirect Cost
$221,519
Name
Hugo W. Moser Research Institute Kennedy Krieger
Department
Type
DUNS #
155342439
City
Baltimore
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
21205
Sweeney, Kristie L; Ryan, Matthew; Schneider, Heather et al. (2018) Developmental Trajectory of Motor Deficits in Preschool Children with ADHD. Dev Neuropsychol 43:419-429
Jacobson, Lisa A; Crocetti, Deana; Dirlikov, Benjamin et al. (2018) Anomalous Brain Development Is Evident in Preschoolers With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. J Int Neuropsychol Soc 24:531-539
Jacobson, Lisa A; Schneider, Heather; Mahone, E Mark (2018) Preschool Inhibitory Control Predicts ADHD Group Status and Inhibitory Weakness in School. Arch Clin Neuropsychol 33:1006-1014
Rosch, Keri S; Crocetti, Deana; Hirabayashi, Kathryn et al. (2018) Reduced subcortical volumes among preschool-age girls and boys with ADHD. Psychiatry Res Neuroimaging 271:67-74
Mahone, E Mark; Denckla, Martha B (2017) Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Historical Neuropsychological Perspective. J Int Neuropsychol Soc 23:916-929
Schneider, Heather E; Lam, Janet C; Mahone, E Mark (2016) Sleep disturbance and neuropsychological function in young children with ADHD. Child Neuropsychol 22:493-506
Mahone, E Mark; Crocetti, Deana; Tochen, Laura et al. (2016) Anomalous Putamen Volume in Children With Complex Motor Stereotypies. Pediatr Neurol 65:59-63
Schneider, Heather E; Kirk, John W; Mahone, E Mark (2014) Utility of the test of memory malingering (TOMM) in children ages 4-7 years with and without ADHD. Clin Neuropsychol 28:1133-45
Mahone, E Mark; Ryan, Matthew; Ferenc, Lisa et al. (2014) Neuropsychological function in children with primary complex motor stereotypies. Dev Med Child Neurol 56:1001-8
Mahone, E M; Schneider, H E (2012) Assessment of attention in preschoolers. Neuropsychol Rev 22:361-83

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