Reduced striatal GABA in unmedicated children with ADHD at 7T
Abstract
Attention-deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) is characterized by inattention and increased impulsive and hypermotoric behaviors.Despite the high prevalence and impact of ADHD, little is known about the underlying neurophysiology of ADHD. The main inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate are receiving increased attention in ADHD and can be measured using Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS). However, MRS studies in ADHD are limited. We measured GABA and glutamate in young unmedicated participants, utilizing high magnetic field strength. Fifty unmedicated children (26 with ADHD, 24 controls) aged 5-9 years completed MRS at 7T and behavioral testing. GABA and glutamate were measured in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), premotor cortex (PMC), and striatum, and estimated using LCModel. Children with ADHD showed poorer inhibitory control and significantly reduced GABA/Cr in the striatum, but not in ACC, DLPFC, or PMC regions. There were no significant group differences for Glu/Cr levels, or correlations with behavioral manifestations of ADHD. The primary finding of this study is a reduction of striatal GABA levels in unmedicated children with ADHD at 7T. These findings provide guidance for future studies or interventions. Reduced striatal GABA may be a marker for specific GABA-related treatment for 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 [95]
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- Authors
- Puts, N. A., Ryan, M., Oeltzschner, G., Horska, A., Edden, R. A. E., & Mahone, E. M.
- Affiliations
- Kennedy Krieger Institute (US)
- Corresponding author
- Puts, Nicolaas A.
- Venue
- Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2020-07
- Volume
- 301
- Pages
- 111082
- ISSN
- 0925-4927 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W3026727394
- Cited by
- 65
- References
- 7
- Citations by year
- 2026: 10 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 3
- FWCI
- 6.02
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Psychiatry Research Neuroimaging (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institutes of Health
- 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 › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
- Keywords
- attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, GABA, glutamate, striatum, inhibitory control, 7T MRI, LCModel, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, premotor cortex, inhibitory neurotransmitter, biomarkers
- MeSH terms
- Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Cerebral Cortex, Child, Child, Preschool, Corpus Striatum, gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, Humans, Impulsive Behavior, Male, Synaptic Transmission, Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, Glutamic Acid
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