Methylphenidate Alters Functional Connectivity of Default Mode Network in Drug-Naive Male Adults With ADHD.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the hypothesis that methylphenidate immediate release (MPH-IR) treatment would improve Default Mode Network (DMN) within-connectivity.

METHOD: Resting-state functional connectivity of the main nodes of DMN was evaluated in a highly homogeneous sample of 18 drug-naive male adult participants with ADHD.

RESULTS: Comparing resting-state functional connectivity functional magnetic resonance imaging (R-fMRI) scans before and after MPH treatment focusing exclusively on within-DMN connectivity, we evidenced the strengthening of functional connectivity between two nodes of the DMN: posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and left lateral parietal cortex (LLP).

CONCLUSION: Our results contribute to the further understanding on how MPH affects functional connectivity within DMN of male adults with ADHD and corroborate the hypothesis of ADHD being a delayed neurodevelopmental disorder.