Cerebellar Gray Matter Density in Females With ADHD Combined Type: A Cross-Sectional Voxel-Based Morphometry Study

Abstract

Background: MRI studies have shown a decreased cerebellum volume in individuals with ADHD. However, most of these studies were conducted with male children, many of whom were medicated with stimulants. As such, unmedicated, non-White girls are underrepresented in such MRI studies. Objective: The aim of the present study was to compare the density of gray matter (GM) in the cerebellar hemisphere between unmedicated, non-White female children, adolescents, and adults diagnosed with ADHD combined type (ADHD-C) and healthy controls. Method: MRIs were performed on 11 Hispanic unmedicated ADHD-C children (6-10 years old), 8 Hispanic adolescents (14-17 years old), 10 Hispanic adults (25-35 years old), and the respective healthy controls. Image processing and statistical analyses were performed by Voxel Based Morphometry using the DARTEL algorithm to improve spatial normalization. Results: Reduced GM density located in the right cerebellar hemisphere was found in female children, adolescents, and adults with ADHD-C. Conclusions: These findings suggest that there is an anatomical abnormality in the right cerebellar hemisphere in unmedicated Hispanic girls with ADHD-C that is present from childhood to adulthood.