AUTHOR=Poliakova Eva , Conrad Amy L. , Schieltz Kelly M. , O'Brien Matthew J. 

TITLE=Using fNIRS to evaluate ADHD medication effects on neuronal activity: A systematic literature review

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Neuroimaging

VOLUME=Volume 2 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neuroimaging/articles/10.3389/fnimg.2023.1083036

DOI=10.3389/fnimg.2023.1083036

ISSN=2813-1193

ABSTRACT=Functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a relatively noninvasive and inexpensive functional neuroimaging technique that has shown promise as a method for understanding the differences in neuronal activity associated with various neurodevelopmental conditions, including ADHD. Additionally, fNIRS has been suggested as a possible tool to understand the impact of psychotropic medications on brain activity in individuals with ADHD, but this approach is still in its infancy. Therefore, the purpose of this systematic literature review is to synthesize the extant research literature on the use of fNIRS to assess the effects of ADHD medications on brain activity in children and adolescents with ADHD. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Literature Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, the search yielded 23 published studies meeting inclusion criteria. In these studies, we found a high degree of heterogeneity in terms of the research methodology and procedures, which is explained in part by the distinct goals and approaches of the studies reviewed. However, we also discovered relative consistency in outcomes among a select group of studies that demonstrated a similar research focus. Although fNIRS has great potential to further our understanding of the effects of ADHD medications on the neuronal activity of children and adolescents with ADHD, we examine some of the limitations in the current research and provide recommendations for future studies.