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Associations Between Limbic System White Matter Structure and Socio-Emotional Functioning in Children with ADHD + ASD

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Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) combined with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms (ADHD + ASD) have poorer social and emotional functioning than those with ADHD alone. However, no studies have specifically examined the associations between ASD symptoms, measures of social and emotional functioning and limbic system white matter microstructure. Tractography on the cingulum, uncinate fasciculus and fornix were performed for 151 children with (N = 78) and without (N = 73) ADHD. Participants in the ADHD group who scored 11 or above on the Social Communication Questionnaire were classified as the ADHD + ASD group (N = 16). Significant differences in mean cingulum FA were present between the control group and the ADHD (all) group, however, no significant differences were seen between the ADHD and ADHD + ASD groups. Despite this, significant associations were seen between mean FA of the left cingulum and emotional problems for the ADHD + ASD group. Results give greater insights into the specific biological basis of emotional problems in the ADHD + ASD group, indicating that the cingulum may play a role.

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Funding

This research was supported by Project Grants (1008522, 1065895) from the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). ES is funded by an NHMRC Career Development Fellowship (1110688) and a veski Inspiring Women’s Fellowship. This research was supported by the Victorian Government’s Operation Infrastructure Support Program to the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute.

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All authors contributed to the study design and manuscript revisions, following primary contributions by KS, TS and ES. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. The corresponding author can provide further study details upon request.

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Correspondence to Emma Sciberras.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Stephens, K., Silk, T.J., Anderson, V. et al. Associations Between Limbic System White Matter Structure and Socio-Emotional Functioning in Children with ADHD + ASD. J Autism Dev Disord 51, 2663–2672 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04738-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04738-3

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