Decreased Effective Connectivity of the SMA in Children with ADHD: A fMRI Study of Simple Finger Tapping Tasks

Abstract

ADHD is one of the most common neurological developmental disorders affecting approximately 3-5% of school-aged children globally. ADHD has been associated with neuropsychological deficits in inhibitory functions and brain abnormalities in the inhibition-mediating inferior and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, the cingulate gyrus, the caudate nucleus, and the supplementary motor area (SMA). This study focuses on the SMA; the SMA is responsible for the preparation of motor movements and transmission of motor signals to the primary motor cortex, basal ganglia, and cerebellum. The goal of this study is to examine the role of the SMA in initiation of motor planning and executing motor movement; as well as to examine how the activity of the SMA is able to influence the activity of other areas of the brain in children with ADHD.