Neuroscience
The Neuroscience Behind ADHD in Children
🖋 Tasneem Irshaid / 📅 May 2024
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic neurodevelopmental disorder that is vastly common among children which continue into adulthood. It has been characterized by three different traits: inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. Children with ADHD start showing symptoms and could be diagnosed as early as the age of seven. They exhibit symptoms like difficulty in paying attention, sitting still, and regulating their emotions (Beale, 2022). Early diagnosis is particularly important because it permits shorter and effective treatment of the child (Beale, 2022).
Children with ADHD often exhibit symptoms of inattention such as being unable to stay focused on a particular task, inability to pay attention to details, facing difficulties in following instructions, organization, and avoiding finishing tasks. Additionally, children with ADHD might show patterns of hyperactivity and impulsivity (Beale, 2022). These symptoms include constant fidgeting, frequent hand, and feet movements, unable to sit still in one place(Beale, 2022). Children might also be very talkative, interrupt others, blurt the uncertain answers and run around in inappropriate places (Beale, 2022).
Neuroscientists have been learning more about brain development and ADHD. Researchers have studied for several years the brain of an ADHD child to examine the differences between an ADHD brain and a normal brain (Silver, 2022). It has been noticed that the prefrontal cortex, a part of the brain that is responsible for executive functioning, matures slowly in children with ADHD (Team, 2022). Additionally, the amygdala, hippocampus, and cerebellum are smaller in volume. The small volume of the cerebellum motivates the symptoms of ADHD such as the inability to stay still in a setting. A decrease in the volume of the hippocampus and amygdala plays an important role in the difficulty of emotion regulation and the formation of memory. Another factor that contributes to the symptoms of ADHD is irregular brain connectivity (Silver, 2022). Using functional magnetic resonance (fMRI) scientists detect the level of blood flow in certain regions of the brain (Silver, 2022). Higher blood flow means greater activity. In children with ADHD, there is irregular activity in regions of the brain that are related to motor, emotional and cognitive regulation (Silver, 2022). The connectivity between the prefrontal lobe and other areas of the brain is altered, leading to impulsivity, poor memory and planning, and constant distractibility (Silver, 2022). Lastly, alterations in the neurochemistry of the brain can be a great factor in ADHD symptoms (Silver, 2022). Neurotransmitters such as dopamine have four pathways; the alteration of two of these pathways causes an impairment in the cognitive functioning of the ADHD brain (Team, 2022).
ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental illnesses that has an impact on both children and adults. The earlier treatment is given for children with ADHD, the more beneficial it can be for managing symptoms and improving all executive functions (Pedersen, 2021).
The definitive cure of ADHD has not been found by researchers yet, but they have come up with several effective treatment plans that can be very promising for the child’s future. Treatment can include both medications and therapy. In therapy, the child learns how to manage the symptoms and modify certain behaviors (Pedersen, 2021).
In conclusion, ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental illnesses that has an impact on both children and adults. The earlier treatment is given for children with ADHD, the more beneficial it can be for managing symptoms and improving all executive functions (Pedersen, 2021). It is important for parents to be educated about these symptoms and give their child a better future life. There are several tips that can be given for parents with children with ADHD including, building structure, rewarding good behavior, working with teachers in schools to give the child the needed support, and building a healthy communication (Pedersen, 2021).
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