Hierarchical integrated and segregated processing in the functional brain default mode network within attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Yongchen Fan; Rong Wang; Pan Lin; Ying Wu

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0222414

Hierarchical integrated and segregated processing in the functional brain default mode network within attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

PLoS One. 2019 Sep 12;14(9):e0222414. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0222414. eCollection 2019.

Authors

Yongchen Fan^{1

2}, Rong Wang³, Pan Lin⁴, Ying Wu^{1

2

5}

Affiliations

¹ State Key Laboratory for Strength and Vibration of Mechanical Structures, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.
² School of Aerospace Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.
³ College of Science, Xi'an University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, China.
⁴ Department of Psychology and Cognition and Human Behavior Key Laboratory of Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University, Hunan, China.
⁵ National Demonstration Center for Experimental Mechanics Education, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.

Abstract

The hierarchical modular organization of functional networks in the brain is crucial for supporting diverse cognitive functions. Functional disorders in the brain are associated with an abnormal hierarchical modular organization. The default mode network (DMN) is a complex dynamic network that is linked to specialized cognitive functions and clinically relevant information. In this study, we hypothesize that hierarchical functional segregation and integration of the DMN within attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is abnormal. We investigated topological metrics of both segregation and integration in different hierarchical subnetworks of the DMN between patients with ADHD and healthy controls. We found that the hierarchical functional integration and segregation of the DMN decreased and increased, respectively, in ADHD. Our results also indicated that the abnormalities in the DMN are intrinsically caused by changes in functional segregation and integration in its higher-level subnetworks. To better understand the temporally dynamic changes in the hierarchical functional integration and segregation of the DMN within ADHD, we further analyzed the dynamic transitions between functional segregation and integration. We found that the adaptive reorganizational ability of brain network states decreased in ADHD patients, which indicated less adaptive regulation between the DMN subnetworks in ADHD for supporting correspondingly normal cognitive function. From the perspective of hierarchical functional segregation and integration, our results further provide evidence to support dysfunctional brain cognitive functions within ADHD linked to brain network segregation and integration.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / metabolism*
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / physiopathology*
Brain / physiopathology
Brain Mapping / methods
Case-Control Studies
Cognition / physiology*
Databases, Factual
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
Neural Pathways / physiopathology
Rest / physiology

Grants and funding

This project is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant Nos. 11772242 and 11802229. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.