A brain area that helps orchestrate mental activity works overtime in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, reflecting the internal struggle to hold more than one thing in mind at a time, neuroscientists reported Sunday.More at the link.
The scientists used a functional magnetic imaging scanner to track signs of neural activity among 19 affected children and 23 other children who were asked to remember a simple sequence of letters. The scientists discovered that a critical mental control area, called the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, worked much harder and, perhaps, less efficiently among children with attention problems.
This fundamental difference in brain function might be an underlying cause of the inattentiveness, impulsivity and focus problems that make it hard for ADHD children to concentrate in the classroom, the scientists said during an annual gathering of 31,000 brain researchers in Washington, D.C.
"Our findings suggest that the function as well as the structure of this brain area is different in children with ADHD," said Wayne State University biologist Tudor Puiu, who reported the team's findings Sunday at a conference held by the Society for Neuroscience. "It might explain the cognitive problems we see in the classroom."
All told, about two million U.S. children have been diagnosed with attention problems. No one yet understands the basic neurobiology responsible for the mental ailment, which has grown more common since 2003, according to a survey by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration.
The portion of those with the most severe symptoms who are treated with prescription stimulants, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamine (Adderall), also has continued to rise, the National Institutes of Health reported in September.
The finding reported Sunday adds to growing biomedical evidence that those diagnosed with the attention disorder—arguably the most common childhood behavioral issue—have unusual patterns of brain function that can persist well into adulthood.
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Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Structure of Brain Different in ADHD Children, Experts Say
Some of my readers responded strongly to my post on the parenting class my wife and I took, which featured lots of information on families dealing with behavioral challenges at home, so this might be of interest, at Wall Street Journal, "Scientists Probe Role of Brain in ADHD Cases":
The portion of those with the most severe symptoms who are treated with prescription stimulants, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamine (Adderall), also has continued to rise, the National Institutes of Health reported in September.~~~
ReplyDeleteThe problem is that many kids aren't 'severe'. They're kids, and parents don't have time to deal with disputes with kids, fussy kids (because again they don't have time), they don't want to deal with teenager's who act like teenager's. I work in the medical field, I see it all the time. I see behaviors from parents pushing pills don their kids that's frightening and deplorable. Then they brag about what a 'delightful' person they are to be around---with her glazed eyes and dopey speech. Anyone doing this without prescriptions would be accused of abusing their children.
I think few would deny the existance of ADHD, but it it's 'severe', extreme. Not the business of a little boy , the fidgety boredom of a bright child in the classroom of a teacher who drones, or defiance of a teenager--who listens so much better now.
I talk everyday to young adults and adults on ADD meds who probably shouldn't be. They're hyperfocused, their speech is slow with delays, they can't track normal conversations. Perfect Zombie material you might say.
I have a friend whose son was truly ADHD. You'd have to lock all the doors & you better have bolt locks with keys and keep the keys with you. Attention span of...0 I think.
Bona fide diagnosed as ADHD. But he living with his grandmother who tried other things. She took off the sugar, gluten and come other things, he wasn't an angel (he was 14), but he was much better to deal with.
Again, while there truly are kids legitimately ADHD, many sadly to say, probably are not.