# Structural and Functional Biomarkers of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

> **NIH NIH K01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES · 2020 · $158,108

## Abstract

Abstract
ADHD is one of the most highly prevalent (5-10%) child-onset neurodevelopmental disorders worldwide with
an economic burden to society estimated to be in the tens of billions per year. Behaviorally, ADHD is
characterized by problems with sustained attention and hyperactivity/impulsivity that often impair academic,
social, and occupational abilities. The negative consequences of diminished social functioning put children with
ADHD at greater risk for behavioral/emotional problems including anxiety and depression, and untreated
adolescents with ADHD are at greater risk for drug use, nicotine dependency, and automobile accidents.
Understanding the neural correlates of this disorder is of high importance for this population, as improved
models of the disease could in turn inform individualized targeted therapies for optimal behavioral and
cognitive benefit.
Our recent work suggests that brain asymmetries in structural and functional MRI measures may be more
valuable as descriptors for quantifying developmental differences in the ADHD brain than lateralized (left/right)
measures alone. Building on this work, we will now examine how these asymmetries are altered over the
course of treatment with stimulant medications. We hypothesize that hemispheric asymmetry differences may
resolve to some extent after successful response to pharmaceutical therapy. Next, we will track brain white
matter changes (and asymmetries) using DTI imaging before and after medication treatment to determine their
potential in predicting a beneficial behavioral response to pharmacotherapy in ADHD-affected youth. It is then
reasonable to ask - how are structural asymmetry differences linked to functional differences in the ADHD
brain? We will address this question by connecting structural and functional MRI features with clinical
assessment scores using an innovative approach to data clustering. We expect that this integrative approach
will provide a link between the behavioral traits and quantitative brain biomarkers of ADHD.
This project advances the Candidate's training by building on background strengths in neuroimaging and
computational neuroscience while providing new training in translational research, data collection in childhood
populations, coursework in the phenomenology and etiology of pediatric neurodevelopmental disorders, and
clinical shadowing of intake and assessments of children suspected to have ADHD. The growth provided will
make the candidate more specialized in translational research and neurodevelopmental disorders, making the
candidate well suited for success as an independent investigator.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9999649
- **Project number:** 5K01MH110645-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
- **Principal Investigator:** PK Douglas
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $158,108
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-08-01 → 2022-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9999649

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9999649, Structural and Functional Biomarkers of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (5K01MH110645-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9999649. Licensed CC0.

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