BY CHELSEA JOHNSTON

ADD and ADHD

What is ADD and ADHD?

Attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactive disorder is a common childhood disorder that can continue on through adolescences and adulthood.

This condition effects 3%-7% of children worldwide.

Symptoms of this condition are low attention and concentration levels, high levels of activity, distractibility, impulsivity and the inability to inhibit actions.

(Loitti, 936)

Is there a difference between ADD and ADHD?

ADD used to be the only term for this condition, but in 1987 the term ADD was revised to ADHD in the Diagnostic Statistic Manual III.

Along with the revision ADHD was broken into three categories.

Predominantly Inattentive Type Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type Combined Type: Symptoms of the above types are equally

evident.

So basically ADD and ADHD are just different names for the same condition.

(Chambers, np)

The four brain regions implicated in ADD/ADHD

The prefrontal cortices (especially the right prefrontal cortex)

The basal ganglia (especially the caudate)

The cerebellum (especially the cerebellar vermis)

The corpus callosum (especially the genu)

(Nigg, 54)

Prefrontal cortex

Researchers have found that structure and activity in this area of the brain of children with ADHD/ADD relates to problems with working memory, response suppression, alerting and motivation.

Abnormalities in this area of the brain that effect ADD/ADHD are primarily in the right side. (Niggs, 55)

In one research ADHD and healthy participants were asked to participate in a stop signal task. They found that the ADHD group showed reduces N200 wave amplitudes in primarily the right inferior frontal scalp. (Liotti, 936)

Basal Ganglia

The caudate and putamen are the parts of the Basal Ganglia that are most related to ADD/ADHD. They work closely with the prefrontal cortex. These structures involve motor control with motivation and emotion (responding to rewards or danger) and with executive and cognitive functions (attention and suppression of motor response.)

Several studies indicate abnormalities in the caudate of children with ADD/ADHD, but it is still unclear whether it is the right or left side. (Nigg, 56)

Cerebellum

Several studies have shown that the cerebellar vermis is smaller in children with ADHD/ADD than in children without the condition.

This is thought to effect disturbances of motor timing and temporal information processing in general.

(Niggs, 56,57)

Corpus Callosum

This area helps with transferring information in the brain which is necessary for complex cognitive and motor functions.

Little research has been done, but imaging evidence shows that areas of the Corpus Callosum may be smaller in children with ADD/ADHD that children without.

(Niggs, 57)

What kind of medication is used to treat this condition?

Adderall: amphetamine Adderall XR: amphetamine (extended release) Concerta: methylphenidate (long acting) Daytrana: methylphenidate patch Desoxyn: methamphetamine hydrochloride Dexedrine: dextroamphetamine Dextrostat: dextroamphetamine Focalin: dexmethylphenidate Focalin XR: dexmethylphenidate (extended release) Metadate ER: methylphenidate (extended release) Metadate CD: methylphenidate (extended release) Methylin: methylphenidate (oral solution and chewable tablets) Ritalin: methylphenidate Ritalin SR: methylphenidate (extended release) Ritalin LA: methylphenidate (long acting) Strattera: atomoxetine Vyvanselis: lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (Attention deficit…. N.p.)

How does ADHD Medication effect the brain?

It has been found that people with ADD/ADHD contain a lower amount of dopamine and norepinephrine neurotransmitters in their brain.

Stimulant medications that include amphetamines and methylphenidate affect the chemical signals in the central nervous system increasing the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain.

(Kingsley, np)

Omega-3 fatty acids

Aside from traditional medicines, Omega-3 fatty acids have been found to slightly improve ADHD/ADD symptoms.

This supplement can be coupled with ADHD medication to augment it’s effects or is even a good solution for people with ADHD who do not choose to use medications.

Although it slightly improves symptoms, it is not thought of as an adequate treatment option.

(Leonard, 1-3)

What causes ADD/ADHD?

• The causes of ADD/ADHD are not known for sure but researchers have a few good ideas.

1. Many studies have shown that genetics play a role in the condition.

2. Some studies suggest a like between smoking and alcohol consumption during pregnancy and ADD/ADHD.

3. People with brain injuries to the right prefrontal lobe sometimes show symptoms of ADD/ADHD, but most children with the condition have not had a brain injury.

(Attention deficit..Np)

Bibliography

“Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder ADHD.” National institute of mental health. NIMH. Web. 6 Aug 2012. This website was very informative in providing the different types of medications used for ADHD. It also listed what chemical was used in each medication.

Chambers, TJ. ADHD Awareness.Web. 6 Aug 2012. This website was very informative and contributed noticeably to my research. It helped to describe the different types of ADHD and the changes to the name of the condition.

Kingsley, Richard. “Managing ADHD with medication” kids health. Web. 6 Aug 2012. This website gave me clear information about how ADHD medication stimulants effect the brain. This website described how these medications worked very well.

*Leonard, Henrietta. “Omega-3 fatty acids may be benificial as augmentation to ADHD medications.” The Brown University child and adolescent psychopharmacology update . 13 (2011): 1-3, Web. October. 6 Aug. 2012. This source had information of ADHD treatment beyond just medication. It explains the study that lead to the thought that Omega-3 could help with ADHD.

* Liotti, Mario, et al. “Electrophysiological correlates of response inhibition in children and adolescents with ADHD: Influence of gender, age, and previous treatment history.” Psychophysiology, 44 (2007) : 936-948, Web. 8 Feb. 6 Aug. 2012. This source provided very solid information regarding the effects of the prefrontal cortex in people with ADHD. The study was explained in depth with information applying to What ADHD is and how the condition relates to the prefrontal cortex.

*Nigg, Joel. What Causes ADHD? : Understanding What Goes Wrong and Why. New York, NY, USA: Guilford Press, 2006. Print. This book provided me with so much information about ADHD as a serious condition. The information that was especially helpful to me was that about the brain regions implicated in the mind of a child with ADHD.