Symptom Profiles, But Not Prefrontal Neurochemistry, Differentiate ADHD Youth With and Without a Family History of Bipolar I Disorder. Issue 13 (November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chen, Constance; Tallman, Maxwell J.; Cecil, Kim M.; Patino, Luis Rodrigo; Blom, Thomas J.; DelBello, Melissa P.; McNamara, Robert K.
• Is Part Of: Journal of attention disorders. Volume 26:Issue 13(2022)
• Page Start: 1762
• Page End: 1773
• Publication Date: 2022-11
• Subjects: bipolar I disorder -- familiar risk -- mania -- high-risk -- adolescent -- choline; Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder -- Periodicals; Attention -- Periodicals; 616.8589
• DOI: 10.1177/10870547221101645
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1087-0547

Abstract

Objective: To identify clinical and central features that differentiate ADHD youth with and without familial risk for bipolar I disorder (BD).Methods: Psychostimulant-free ADHD youth (10–18 years) with and without a first-degree relative with BD and healthy controls were enrolled. Bilateral ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC) proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ( 1 H MRS) scans and a range of symptom ratings were performed.Results: A total of n = 145 youth were enrolled. ADHD youth with a family history of BD exhibited greater manic and depressive symptom severity, ADHD hyperactivity/impulsive symptom severity, and higher parent-reported ratings of dysregulation compared with ADHD youth without a BD family history. Although VLPFC metabolite levels did not differ across groups, choline levels in the left VLPFC correlated with different symptom ratings.Conclusion: Symptom profiles including more severe mood and externalizing symptoms, but not VLPFC neurochemistry, differentiate psychostimulant-free ADHD youth with and without a family history of BD.