Hyperactive Patterns

Is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) really a disorder or part of the normal range of human behaviour? One problem fuelling this controversy is the lack of a definitive diagnostic test. Currently ADHD is diagnosed by questionnaires, which since they rely on opinion are subjective. The resulting variation can lead to under- or over-diagnosing. Scientists have addressed this problem using magnetic resonance imaging combined with mathematical analysis to outline patterns in brain structure. The ADHD brain pattern (highlighted orange), is still clearly distinguishable when ‘overlaid’ on the ‘normal’ control pattern (blue and purple). Patients with autism (in green) were included as they share some symptoms with ADHD. This pattern recognition technique identified 79% of questionnaire-diagnosed ADHD patients and clearly distinguished ADHD from autism. It’s a promising first step towards an objective diagnostic test for ADHD.

Written by Julie Webb

Julie Webb

Writer

Julie began her career as a researcher in genetics. In 2000 she won a Wellcome Trust award for her work on a collaborative science drama, staged at the Edinburgh Festival. She now works as a freelance science writer and communicator.

• Katya Rubia
• King’s College London
• Originally published under a Creative Commons Attribution license
• Published in PLoS One 8(5): e63660