Neural mechanisms underlying the therapeutic actions of guanfacine treatment in youth with ADHD: A pilot fMRI study. Issue 3 (30th March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bédard, Anne-Claude V.; Schulz, Kurt P.; Krone, Beth; Pedraza, Juan; Duhoux, Stephanie; Halperin, Jeffrey M.; Newcorn, Jeffrey H.
• Is Part Of: Psychiatry research. Volume 231:Issue 3(2015)
• Page Start: 353
• Page End: 356
• Publication Date: 2015-03-30
• Subjects: ADHD -- fMRI -- Guanfacine; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Brain -- Imaging -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Diagnostic Imaging -- Periodicals; Psychiatrie -- Périodiques; Cerveau -- Imagerie pour le diagnostic -- Périodiques; 616.890754
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2015.01.012
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0925-4927

Abstract

Abstract: Twenty-five youth with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were scanned with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) while performing a Go/No-go task before and after 6–8 weeks of randomized once-daily treatment with either the α2A -adrenergic receptor agonist guanfacine or placebo. Clinical improvement was greater for guanfacine than placebo and was differentially associated with reduced activation for guanfacine compared with placebo in the right midcingulate cortex/supplementary motor area and the left posterior cingulate cortex. Highlights: Youth with ADHD had fMRI scans before and after treatment with guanfacine or placebo. Guanfacine therapy produced the expected clinical improvement compared to placebo. Clinical improvement for guanfacine was related to reduced midcingulate activation. Beneficial effect of guanfacine for ADHD involves mechanisms beyond prefrontal cortex. Midcingulate cortex may represent a common mechanism of action for ADHD medications.