Lateralization and hemispheric interaction during auditory processing in children with ADHD

• Applicant: Dr. Nicole Angenstein
• Subject Area: Human Cognitive and Systems Neuroscience
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 463335191

Many children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) also suffer from auditory processing deficits and have a higher risk of language problems. Maladapted lateralization of auditory processing and changes of interhemispheric interaction in children with ADHD may play a major role since the processing of complex auditory stimuli like speech requires a well-functioning division of labor between the left and right auditory cortex and an efficient interaction between hemispheres. This again requires a normally developed brain anatomy. It is not known how differences in hemispheric asymmetries and hemispheric interaction are actually related to impaired auditory processing in children with ADHD. The purpose of the proposed project is to characterize differences in lateralization and interhemispheric interaction during auditory processing in children with ADHD compared to normally developing children. The aim is to reveal the link between functional and anatomical alterations in children with ADHD and their often-observed deficits in auditory processing. First, the abilities of children with ADHD to discriminate basic acoustic parameters will be determined. In addition, more complex auditory capabilities will be tested by using two types of tasks that differentially involve the left and right auditory cortex and hence require a different amount of hemispheric interaction (categorization and comparison of direction of pitch change). The lateralization of activity and the interhemispheric interaction during the categorization and the comparison task will be investigated by using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) whereas electroencephalography (EEG) will be used to assess the temporal dynamics of hemispheric interaction. Furthermore, macro- and microanatomical properties of the auditory cortex and of the corpus callosum as the interhemispheric connection will be explored by using anatomical MRI and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). The connection between behavioral, functional and anatomical measurements will provide a more thorough understanding of auditory processing deficits in children with ADHD, which may also have implications for symptoms like inattention and poor behavioral control. The understanding of the auditory processing deficits may in the future help to develop training strategies or interventions to overcome these impairments by changing hemispheric interaction and/or the lateralization of processing.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Co-Investigator: Professorin Dr. Kerstin Krauel