Neurological Markers Show Attention Operates on a Shared Spectrum
According to research published in the Journal of Attention Disorders, the brain systems that help children maintain focus operate on a single shared spectrum, regardless of an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder diagnosis. Kelsey Harkness led an investigation at the Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute at the University of Calgary to test if children with ADHD exist along the same continuum of brain and behavior associations as children without the diagnosis. The findings show that neurological markers of attention abilities do not differ between children with and without an ADHD diagnosis.
Understanding Inhibitory Control Through Functional MRI
People possess varying levels of inhibitory control of attention, which is the cognitive skill allowing someone to focus on a specific task while tuning out background distractions. To explore this, researchers analyzed information from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development database, examining data from just over 7,000 children who were nine or ten years old, nearly 500 of whom had a current diagnosis of ADHD. According to the study, subjects completed the Flanker task—a standardized assessment determining scores based on accuracy and reaction time—while scientists analyzed resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans to measure brain activity and functional connectivity without performance pressure.
Did you know? Resting-state fMRI scans observe the brain while a person lies still and remains awake, avoiding the performance anxiety that can sometimes skew task-based imaging data inside an MRI scanner.
Divergent Brain Networks for Attention Scores and Diagnoses
The data analysis revealed independent patterns linking resting brain connectivity to both attention scores and diagnostic status. Flanker task performance correlated with connectivity in specific cortical circuits, such as visual baseline networks and sensory-motor processing regions related to mouth or hand movements. Separately, an ADHD diagnosis associated with connectivity patterns in entirely different brain regions, primarily involving ventral attention and auditory networks. When researchers compared these networks, they found no overlap, meaning different behavioral traits depend on separate neurological pathways.
Implications for Transdiagnostic Models of Mental Health
The team tested whether an ADHD diagnosis altered the relationship between a child’s attention score and their brain connectivity, and the results were not statistically significant. This lack of an interaction means the neural wiring associated with inhibitory control looks essentially identical across both groups. A child with ADHD who scores poorly on the attention test has the same related brain connectivity as a neurotypical child who scores poorly. These findings support studying fundamental cognitive traits across the entire population rather than isolating individuals into rigid diagnostic categories, aligning with transdiagnostic models of mental health. The study was authored by Kelsey Harkness, Matthias Wilms, Kate J. Godfrey, Signe Bray, and Kara Murias.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the study investigate regarding ADHD and attention?
According to the research, scientists investigated whether the neurological markers and brain connectivity of attention abilities differ between children with and without an ADHD diagnosis.
How was inhibitory control measured in the study?
Children completed the Flanker task, a standardized assessment measuring accuracy and reaction time while identifying the direction of a central arrow on a screen.
Did children with ADHD show different brain connectivity for attention scores?
Join the Conversation
Worth a look
- Smokers vs. Vapers: Surgery Risks Compared by Experts
- SFDA Approves Frehemgo for Hemophilia A Bleeding Prevention
- Breakthrough Salk Study Uncovers Mechanism Behind Immunotherapy Resistance: Interferons, Mitochondrial Dysfunction, and PGE2″ Interferons, mitochondrial dysfunction and PGE2: Salk study reveals mechanism behind immunotherapy resistance. Boost its search engine visibility with relevant keywords for maximum impact. Immunotherapy resistance remains one of the biggest hurdles in cancer treatment. According to a recent study published in the journal Nature Communications, scientists at the Salk Institute have made a groundbreaking discovery that sheds light on the underlying mechanisms behind this resistance. The study reveals that interferons, a type of protein that plays a crucial role in the immune system, can contribute to mitochondrial dysfunction in cancer cells. This dysfunction can lead to the production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), a molecule that promotes tumor growth and resistance to immunotherapy. In their study, the researchers found that PGE2 production was a key factor in the development of immunotherapy resistance in cancer cells. The team used a combination of experimental and computational models to investigate the relationship between interferons, mitochondrial dysfunction, and PGE2 production. The findings of the study suggest that targeting PGE2 production could be a potential strategy for overcoming immunotherapy resistance. The researchers propose that blocking PGE2 receptors or inhibiting its production could help restore the function of mitochondria in cancer cells, making them more susceptible to immunotherapy. The study’s authors hope that their findings will pave the way for the development of new therapies that can overcome immunotherapy resistance and improve treatment outcomes for cancer patients. Key Takeaways: – Interferons contribute to mitochondrial dysfunction in cancer cells – Mitochondrial dysfunction leads to PGE2 production, promoting tumor growth and resistance to immunotherapy – Targeting PGE2 production could be a potential strategy for overcoming immunotherapy resistance – Restoring mitochondrial function in cancer cells could make them more susceptible to immunotherapy Keywords: immunotherapy resistance, interferons, mitochondrial dysfunction, PGE2, Salk Institute, cancer treatment, breakthrough study, Nature Communications. (archyworldys.com)