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Understanding ADHD

By neurophilosophy on July 27, 2007.

Shelley has written a nice summary of the neuroscience of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

As its name suggests, ADHD is characterized by inattention and hyperactivity. This is often accompanied by forgetfulness and an inability to control impulses.

ADHD is a developmental disorder that is believed to be neurological in nature. It presents at an early age and persists into adulthood in about 60% of cases.

The condition has proven to be highly controversial in recent years. Some believe that we are too quick to diagnose it, and that children are being over-medicated. Others think that ADHD is not actually a real condition, but is instead a variant of normal human behaviour.

In her post, Shelley discusses the evidence of altered brain activity in ADHD patients, the neurotransmitter systems implicated in the condition, the mode of action of drugs used in treating it, and the contributing environmental effects.

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Methyl phenidate, ritalin and atomoxetine are useful in the treatment of this disorder. A diagnostic psychometry may be useful in diagnosing it. Paradoxically, central nervous system stimulants like amphetamine, ameliorate the condition.