Adversity, Neurodevelopment, and Cognition in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Abstract
Problem behaviours associated with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptomatology put children at increased risk of experiencing peer victimization, which has been associated with altered brain development and cognitive ability. A large sample of typically developing (TD), ADHD combined type (ADHD-C), and ADHD inattentive type (ADHD-I) children underwent behavioural assessment, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cognitive testing. We examined how problem behaviours and peer victimization differed among the groups, how problem behaviours and peer victimization related to hippocampal volume, and how hippocampal volume related to working memory (WM). The ADHD-C group displayed the highest levels of peer victimization and problem behaviours. We found that left Cornu Ammonis 3 (CA3) volume was a positive predictor of peer victimization and of WM ability, while left Cornu Ammonis 4 (CA4) negatively predicted WM. Interventions targeting peer victimization in schools may help reduce adverse brain and cognitive outcomes, particularly in children with ADHD-C.