Neuroscience and ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, commonly referred to as ADHD, affects both children and adults. Although the exact cause of ADHD is unknown, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), ongoing research in neuroscience--a medical field focused on the study of the brain itself--is providing scientific insights into the nature of the disorder and how it affects the brain.

Identification

• According to the ADHD Information Library, neuroscience reveals that four areas of the brain are affected by those suffering from ADHD. These four brain regions are the frontal lobes, the inhibitory mechanisms of the cortex, the limbic system and the reticular activating system. Each of these four parts of the brain influences the neurology and thus the behavior of someone with ADHD.

Types

• Different types of ADHD symptoms are caused by different regions of the brain. Memory, focus and attention, for instance, are controlled by the frontal lobes. Hyperactivity--one of ADHD's trademark symptoms--is regulated by the inhibitory mechanisms of the cortex. Mood problems and difficulty controlling emotions stem from problems in the limbic system, and attention deficiency stems from the brain's reticular activating system.

Features

• Neuroscience concentrates on studying brain activity through pathophysiology, according to the National Resource Center on ADHD. Using brain imaging technology, researchers have discovered key features in the brain specific to someone affected by ADHD. Theta and alpha brainwaves are common among people with ADHD, both of which are slower in activity than those not affected by the disorder. A decade-long study by NIMH found that the brains of children affected by ADHD were 3 to 4 percent smaller than those of children without the disorder. Additionally, the tissues of the four brain regions involved in ADHD were found to be thinner in children with ADHD.

Effects

• Within the various regions of the brain of someone with ADHD, two chemical messengers, called neurotransmitters--dopamine and norepinephrine--are poorly regulated, resulting in neurologically-induced behavioral problems. This vital information revealed by neuroscience has led to the development of medications, such as atomoxetine and dextroamphetamine, which can help improve memory, focus and attention by stimulating the release of these two neurotransmitters.

Considerations

• Important factors to consider that influence the neurological risks and possible causes of ADHD include: genetics and family history of the disorder, cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption during pregnancy, exposure to lead through old plumbing and sugar intake. Although none of these can be pinpointed as a cause of the neurological problems associated with ADHD, they have been identified as risk factors, states the NIMH.

Potential

• Neuroscience is not only crucial to understanding ADHD, it also has the potential to pinpoint a cause for the disorder. NIMH reports that vital neurological research--such as improving brain imaging technology as well as the effectiveness of medications that impact neurological function--continues to yield valuable information on ADHD's effects on the brain.