Dr. Brett Parkinson with Mountain Medical has been looking into this study.
Researchers at The National Institute of Mental Health collected brain scans from more than 200 hundred children with ADHD and compared them to scans from children without the disorder.
They found the brains of ADHD patients developed in a normal pattern — but the area that controls thinking, attention and planning was delayed by about three years.
Researchers say this could explain why children with ADHD have trouble focusing — and why most eventually grow out of the disorder.
Findings reported in a recent study by the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) suggest that brain development in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) may lag up to three years when compared to normal children. Dr. Philip Shaw of the NIMH said that the delays were most pronounced in those regions of the brain that are key in controlling thought patterns, attention and planning. The researchers arrived at their conclusion by measuring the thickness of the cortex, or outer mantle of the brain.
ADHD afflicts about 2 million US children. The condition usually becomes apparent in preschool and early school years, teachers often being the first to suggest the diagnosis. It is important that both educators and parents be aware of the symptoms and signs of ADHD.
SYMPTOMS OF ADHD
• Inattention : short attention span, easy distractibility
• Impulsivity: inclined to do dangerous or unwise things, unconcerned about consequences
• Hyperactivity: inappropriate, excessive physical activity
HOW ARE THESE SYMPTOMS MANIFESTED?
• Low grades or test scores, including achievement tests
• Poor organization and study skills
• Socialization problems and feeling rejected by peers
• Problems with self-esteem
• Disruptive behavior
IMPORTANCE OF FINDINGS
• The study provides strong evidence that the problem in many children with ADHD may be a delay in development, not an abnormal brain. The research also seems to explain why many children seem to “outgrow” their ADHD. Approximately 75% of children do outgrow the problem by early adulthood. This does not mean, however, that those who suffer from ADHD should simply “wait it out.” Standard drug therapy with Ritalin, or methylphenidate, is still recommended as it has been shown to decrease impulsiveness and hyperactivity while boosting attention.
ABOUT MOUNTAIN MEDICAL PHYSICIAN SPECIALISTS
Mountain Medical Physician Specialists is a partnership of over 50 board-certified radiology and vascular professionals providing patients along the Northern Wasatch Front with the latest imaging and vascular care available. Mountain Medical professionals specialize in vascular surgery, vascular and interventional radiology, CT, neuroradiology, orthopedic imaging, MRI, women’s imaging, ultrasound, nuclear medicine and body imaging.
For more information visit www.mtnmedical.com.
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