Effects of computerized cognitive training on brain function in children with ADHD: A longitudinal neuroimaging study based on fALFF

Comprehensive Summary

This study, conducted by Cheng et al., investigates whether personalized computerized cognitive training (PCCT) can alter brain function and improve symptoms in children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) using a longitudinal resting-state fMRI. Sixteen children with ADHD and sixteen children without ADHD (controls) were recruited and resting-state functional MRI scans at baseline were conducted. The ADHD group also completed a 16-week PCCT program focused on inhibitory control (Stroop, Go/No Go, task-switching), and the clinical assessments and fMRI scans were repeated to assess changes in fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF). At baseline, children with ADHD showed significantly higher clinical symptom scores compared to controls, indicating greater inattention, hyperactivity, and executive dysfunction. Neuroimaging showed that fALFF in the angular gyrus, parietal areas, cerebellum, and brainstem often shows high network imbalance and compensatory hyperactivity. After the 16-week PCCT intervention, ADHD participants showed significant reductions in clinical symptom scores and improved inhibitory control task performance. ADHD reflects a dynamic imbalance between large-scale brain networks, but PCCT can promote neuroplasticity by normalizing hyperactivation and improving network-level coordination.

Outcomes and Implications

This research suggests that PCCT would be a complementary intervention that targets inhibitory control and cerebellar-prefrontal circuitry dysfunction in pediatric ADHD. The observations between fALFF changes and improvements in attention and memory performance show how relevant it is to current research. However, this study has a small sample size and did not implement any long-term follow up, so larger trials should be conducted before clinical implementation.