The Neurobiology of ADHD

The region known as the frontal cortex is involved in ADHD

Functions of the frontal Cortex

• problem solving
• attention
• reasoning
• planning

Evidence has suggested that right frontal lobe is smaller in children with ADHD than non-ADHD children.

Studies have exposed a decrease in the metabolic activity in the right frontal lobe, but also in an area known as the basal ganglia

Ways to find out if the person has ADD or ADHD:

Computerized tomography (CT)

Magnetic Resonance Imaging(MRI)

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging(fMRI)

Positron Emission tomography (PET)

Single Photon Emission tomography (SPECT)

Orange-Frontal Cortex

My Everyday Questions?

• ADD/ADHD is something that does not show physical signs
• the causes are unknown
• It has been around a long period of time its not a new thing
• a condition that appears to be similar to ADHD was described by Hippocrates
• An estimated 3 to 5 per cent of children are affected – approximately 2 million children in the US. In a classroom of 25 to 30 children, it is likely that at least one will have ADHD.
• ADHD is about three times more common among boys than girls.
• Experts have linked adhd with an increased risk of accidents, drug abuse, failure at school, antisocial behavior and criminal activity. But others view ADHD in a positive light, arguing that it is simply a different method a learning involving greater risk-taking and creativity