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Clinical and cognitive profile of nigral iron content in children with ADHD

ADHD has been associated with impaired central nervous dopaminergic pathways. Brain iron is an essential cofactor for the synthesis of dopamine and the substantia nigra (SN) is a significant pool of dopaminergic neurons playing a central role in the activity of the nigrostriatal pathway. The present study investigated SN iron content in children with ADHD, its relationship with ADHD symptom severity and cognitive performance.

Citation:
Morandini HAE, Vos SB, Bhoyroo R, Jacques A, Rao P. Clinical and cognitive profile of nigral iron content in children with ADHD. J Affective Disord. 2026;402.

Keywords:
ADHD; Attention problems; Brain iron; Inhibition; MRI; Substantia nigra

Abstract:
ADHD has been associated with impaired central nervous dopaminergic pathways. Brain iron is an essential cofactor for the synthesis of dopamine and the substantia nigra (SN) is a significant pool of dopaminergic neurons playing a central role in the activity of the nigrostriatal pathway. The present study investigated SN iron content in children with ADHD, its relationship with ADHD symptom severity and cognitive performance.