Resumen de Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Miguel Nicolas Fayed, Humberto Morales Ramos, Carlos Torres, Alicia Fayed Coca, Luisa F. Ángel Ríos
The attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a disease of unknown etiology. Diagnostic criteria were established by the American Psychiatric Association in 2000 and revised in 2013. Although ADHD is characterized by attention-deficit, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, not all the symptoms have to be present. Despite the fact ADHD is one of the most common behavioral disorders in early life, it is infrequently discussed in the current medical literature.New genetic insights are placing ADHD as a hereditary disease in 80% of cases. Overall the etiology is felt to be multifactorial with a neurobiological base, genes interaction, as well as environmental, perinatal, and psychosocial factors. Therapeutic options as well as the clinical approach in ADHD is expected to improve, particularly due to new insights in its pathogenesis.Although the diagnosis of ADHD is clinical, we believe that MR imaging can help to evaluate not only brain anatomic structure but functional changes in these patients. In this chapter we review a series of MR techniques to include functional MRI and MR spectroscopy. Many functional MRI studies in ADHD have demonstrated abnormal blood flow or abnormal metabolism within the brain. The anatomic changes are nonspecific; however, larger series with standardized methodology could improve comparison between groups and allow generalization.
