Methylphenidate normalizes aberrant brain state dynamics in children with ADHD
TD, ADHD
One prominent neurocognitive model proposes that higher levels of attentional fluctuations in individuals with ADHD may arise from abnormal brain dynamics [The current study overcomes these limitations by using a novel BSDS algorithm to uncover latent brain states characterized by unique spatiotemporal circuit properties. BSDS identified 5 latent brain states, characterized by distinct patterns of intrinsic functional connectivity between key nodes of the SN, FPN and DMN. Among these states, state S2 was found to have a significantly higher occupancy rate in children with ADHD than TD children, indicating abnormal brain dynamics during resting state. Our previous study found differences in brain connectivity between children with ADHD and their TD peers [Moreover, changes in the occupancy rate of state S2 induced by methylphenidate were found to predict medication’s effect on sustained attention, as measured by the IIRV in a continuous performance task. While previous studies have shown that methylphenidate can lower IIRV in children with ADHD [Together, our findings suggest that a single dose of methylphenidate can remediate aberrant latent brain state dynamics of the cognitive control system in children with ADHD, and, furthermore, changes in brain dynamics induced by methylphenidate are associated with improved sustained attention.