ADHD Research - The Neurological Basis of ADHD Brings a Better Prognosis
One of the criticisms of utilizing medications or drugs in helping a child cope with the ADHD symptoms is that the disorder might be caused by environmental factors, including parenting styles.
But in the last decade, ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder has already been established as a medical disorder.
One well-known method of coping with the symptoms is to cause chemical interaction with two neurotransmitters, dopamine and norepinephrine.
This is why the majority of ADHD medications are stimulants, such as amphetamines, dextroamphetamines, methylphenidate, pemoline, and dexmethylphenidate.
Still, many parents, health professionals, and the general public are dubious of the effectiveness of these medications.
It might be another money-making strategy of pharmaceutical companies.
At the same time, the use of stimulants to address hyperactivity does not sound rational.
However, a recent study (Volkow, et al.
, pp 932-940) published by the Archives of General Psychiatry showed that a certain genetic variation may increase the risk of suffering from ADHD and the use of stimulants can actually inhibit dopamine activity.
The genetic variation resulted in a thinner cortex, the part of the brain that is critical to retaining attention.
That is, the cortex of the ADHD children who also possess the genetic variation is thinner when compared to the cortex of children without the said disorder and when compared to ADHD children without the genetic marker.
But the long-term study also showed that the cortices of these ADHD children normalize as they approach mid-teen years.
This implies that an eight-year-old who has the genetic marker for ADHD risk will be able to overcome the ADHD symptoms and recover at the age of 16.
This gives the ADHD children a better prognosis of their disorder.
In the meantime, while the child is still waiting for the cortex to fully develop, the behavioral symptoms of ADHD can be managed by medication.
The identification of the genetic marker is just the first step.
How it exactly affect the brain is not yet fully understood.
At the same time, not all ADHD-diagnosed children have this particular genetic variation.
And it could be the reason why one ADHD medication will be effective in one child but useless in another.
Nevertheless, it becomes apparent that an individualized treatment for children with ADHD is needed.
An individualized treatment will take into account the patient's genetic make-up.
With more research in the field of genetics, mental disorders such as ADHD can be better addressed.
But in the last decade, ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder has already been established as a medical disorder.
One well-known method of coping with the symptoms is to cause chemical interaction with two neurotransmitters, dopamine and norepinephrine.
This is why the majority of ADHD medications are stimulants, such as amphetamines, dextroamphetamines, methylphenidate, pemoline, and dexmethylphenidate.
Still, many parents, health professionals, and the general public are dubious of the effectiveness of these medications.
It might be another money-making strategy of pharmaceutical companies.
At the same time, the use of stimulants to address hyperactivity does not sound rational.
However, a recent study (Volkow, et al.
, pp 932-940) published by the Archives of General Psychiatry showed that a certain genetic variation may increase the risk of suffering from ADHD and the use of stimulants can actually inhibit dopamine activity.
The genetic variation resulted in a thinner cortex, the part of the brain that is critical to retaining attention.
That is, the cortex of the ADHD children who also possess the genetic variation is thinner when compared to the cortex of children without the said disorder and when compared to ADHD children without the genetic marker.
But the long-term study also showed that the cortices of these ADHD children normalize as they approach mid-teen years.
This implies that an eight-year-old who has the genetic marker for ADHD risk will be able to overcome the ADHD symptoms and recover at the age of 16.
This gives the ADHD children a better prognosis of their disorder.
In the meantime, while the child is still waiting for the cortex to fully develop, the behavioral symptoms of ADHD can be managed by medication.
The identification of the genetic marker is just the first step.
How it exactly affect the brain is not yet fully understood.
At the same time, not all ADHD-diagnosed children have this particular genetic variation.
And it could be the reason why one ADHD medication will be effective in one child but useless in another.
Nevertheless, it becomes apparent that an individualized treatment for children with ADHD is needed.
An individualized treatment will take into account the patient's genetic make-up.
With more research in the field of genetics, mental disorders such as ADHD can be better addressed.
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