ADHD is a disorder that affects attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It is most commonly diagnosed in children aged 4-16. Recent research has found that ADHD is linked to differences in brain structure and function compared to those without the disorder. Studies have shown that children with ADHD have less surface volume in areas of the thalamus involved in regulating reactions, as well as differences in the pulvinar nucleus which is involved in attention. Medication has been found to increase surface volume in these areas, suggesting ADHD has a neurological basis.

1. By Rachel Cane

3. If the video does not load, please view it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgCL79Jv0lc A video from NIMH (Nation Institute of Mental Health) entitled “ADHD: Signs, Symptoms, and Research”

12. Time to increase the surface volume of your thalamus, Johnny!

13. 1. Hale, T. Sigi et al. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2878884/?tool=pmcentrez . Published online 2009 December 16. Journal of Psychiatric Research. “ ADHD Familial Loading and Abnormal EEG Alpha Asymmetry in Children with ADHD” Study of abnormal brain laterality in persons with ADHD. EEG waves were studied to determine if one side of the brain was being used over another, with rightward asymmetry being most common. Found that children with ADHD tended to have more firing in the parietal region of the right side of their brain. This is not known to cause the ADHD, just to be a result of the condition. 2. Ivanov, Iliyan et al. American Journal of Psychiatry Issue 167:4. April 2010. “ Morphological Abnormalities of the Thalamus in Youths with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder” The study illustrated that increased hyperactivity scores were accompanied by smaller regional volumes on the thalamus (lateral surface) and that scores of inattentiveness were paired with larger regional volumes on the thalamus (medial surface). It is hypothesized that the thalamus affects more than was previously known in the child with ADHD.

14. 3. Klein, Rachel G. American Journal of Psychiatry Issue 168:2. February 2011. “ Thinning of the Cerebral Cortex During Development: A Dimension of ADHD” Many of the defining clinical signs of psychiatric disorders also occur in normally developing children. The purpose of this study was to determine if significant cortical thinning could be shown in children with ADHD vs those without the disorder. It was seen that cortical thinning was present, as well as reductions of total brain volume. 4. Shaw, Philip. American Journal of Psychiatry Issue 167:4. April 2010. “ The Shape of Things to Come in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder” This study found that children with ADHD had volume loss in the pulvinar nuclei, which link action and vision.

15. 5. Various Authors. Disorders of the Brain: A Guide to Mental Illnesses . Master Resell Rights. E-Book Ventures. Published for e-books 2011. “ Auditory Processing Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD)” A general overview of treatment and symptoms of ADHD, particularly to be used for diagnosing the disorder. 6. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgCL79Jv0lc . September 10, 2010. Posted on YouTube.com. “ ADHD: Signs, Symptoms, Research” A video that gives a brief overview of some symptoms of ADHD, and goes over some research into brain function that NIMH has recently done.