Reduced GABA Concentration in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
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CONTEXT: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a developmental disorder characterized by a deficit in behavioral inhibition. Recent evidence also suggests a deficit in cortical inhibition via the GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid)-ergic system. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the GABAergic component of ADHD using magnetic resonance spectroscopy. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Participants were recruited through local schools, local pediatric and other community clinics, and through advertisement in regional publications. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy was performed within the research institute. PARTICIPANTS: Children (age range, 8-12 years) in a typically developing control group vs a group with ADHD were compared. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: J-difference-edited magnetic resonance spectroscopy at 3 T was used to measure GABA concentration in a volume that included primary somatosensory and motor cortices. RESULTS: GABA concentration is reduced in children with ADHD compared with typically developing control subjects. CONCLUSION: Our finding of reduced GABA concentration in ADHD is concordant with recently reported deficits in short intracortical inhibition in ADHD and suggests a GABAergic deficit in ADHD.
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Glutamate signalling is the most common excitatory synapse NT and deficiencies in this signalling have been associated with ADHD symptoms, although it is unknown whether ADHD is associated with differences in glutamate levels.
“Glutamate signalling is the most common excitatory synapse NT [93] and deficiencies in this signalling has been associated with ADHD symptoms [94], although it is unknown whether ADHD is associated with differences in glutamate levels [95–97].”
From Molecular Characterisation of the Mechanism of Action of Stimulant Drugs Lisdexamfetamine and Methylphenidate on ADHD Neurobiology: A Review (2022) · cites this paper as [96]
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- Authors
- Edden, R. A. E., Crocetti, D., Zhu, H., Gilbert, D. L., & Mostofsky, S. H.
- Affiliations
- Johns Hopkins University (US)
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (US)
- Corresponding author
- Edden, Richard A. E.
- Venue
- Archives of General Psychiatry
- Publisher
- American Medical Association (AMA)
- Published
- 2012-07-01
- Volume
- 69
- Issue
- 7
- Pages
- 750-3
- ISSN
- 0003-990X (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC3970207
- OpenAlex
- W1965375794
- Cited by
- 264
- References
- 1
- Citations by year
- 2026: 15 · 2025: 24 · 2024: 30 · 2023: 19 · 2022: 19 · 2021: 27 · 2020: 15 · 2019: 16 · 2018: 16 · 2017: 20 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 18 · 2014: 19 · 2013: 10 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 11.19
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- Archives of General Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute of Mental Health (R01MH085328, R01MH078160)
- National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (P41EB015909)
- National Center for Research Resources (P41RR15241, UL1RR025005, P41RR015241)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging › Advanced MRI Techniques and Applications
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
- Keywords
- attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, GABA, GABAergic system, cortical inhibition, intracortical inhibition, children, somatosensory cortex, motor cortex
- MeSH terms
- Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Brain, Child, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, Humans, Male, Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
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