Schedule of Events | Symposia

Understanding ADHD through naturalistic fMRI data: symptoms & whole-brain connectivity

Poster Session A - Saturday, March 29, 2025, 3:00 – 5:00 pm EDT, Back Bay Ballroom/Republic Ballroom
Also presenting in Data Blitz Session 2 - Saturday, March 29, 2025, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm EDT, Independence Ballroom.

Ash Chinta¹ (ash.chinta.24@dartmouth.edu), Jean Ye², Matthew Rosenblatt², Link Tejavibulya², Dustin Scheinost³; ¹Dartmouth College, ²Yale University, ³Yale School of Medicine

Existing attempts to develop classifier models for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) based on neural data have largely been unsuccessful, with the most effective models often relying on non-neural information. This study explored the potential of integrating naturalistic data to reduce neural heterogeneity within ADHD populations. Using fMRI and behavioral assessment data from the Healthy Brain Network, ADHD was identified through clinician diagnoses and behavioral cutoff scores. Attention values were calculated based on a previously defined sustained attention network, and overlap between between-group network differences and the sustained attention network was evaluated using hypergeometric distribution. A classifier model was constructed using connectivity data to distinguish ADHD from controls. Results showed that between-group differences in sustained attention values were larger when ADHD was defined by behavioral scores (t(665) = 0.878, p = 0.380) compared to clinician diagnoses (t(655) = 0.447, p = 0.655), with no significant correlation between ADHD assessments and attention values. Classifier accuracy was slightly higher when ADHD was defined by behavioral scores (60%) versus clinician diagnoses (55%). Furthermore, the networks identified from the task data did not significantly overlap with the sustained attention network (p = 0.859 for ADHD > control; p = 0.449 for ADHD < control). These findings suggest that differences in network connectivity associated with ADHD may not be explained by sustained attention capabilities. These results underscore the necessity for a reevaluation of diagnostic and support strategies for ADHD and other heterogeneous disorders.

Topic Area: ATTENTION: Development & aging