| There are a lot of theories about ADHD, and a few | | | | other usually does, too. In fact, I know a pair of |
| of them are actually based in fact. I recently ran | | | | identical twins with ADHD. Their mother has her |
| across some information from the National Institutes | | | | hands full, I can tell you! |
| of Mental Health that I found really interesting. | | | | The final interesting point I found in the ADHD |
| First off, brain imaging using MRI (magnetic resonance | | | | research from NIMH was that studies of young |
| imaging) actually shows differences between the | | | | children (ages 7 to 9) show that ADHD medication is |
| brains of kids with ADHD and kids without ADHD. | | | | more effective than behavioral therapies alone in |
| There also does seem to be a sugar link in ADHD, | | | | controlling the "core symptoms" of ADHD-- |
| but not what many people suspect. In adults with | | | | inattention, hyperactivity/impulsiveness, and agression. |
| ADHD, the areas of the brain that control attention | | | | When it came to ADHD-related anxiety, school |
| use less glucose and appear less active than the | | | | performance and social skills, the combination of |
| brains of people without ADHD. | | | | ADHD medications and behavioral therapy was more |
| Research also shows a genetic link in ADHD, though | | | | effective than either alone. |
| it's still not clear exactly what causes Attention | | | | It should be noted that behavioral therapy for ADHD |
| Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. | | | | was successful, just that it was more successful |
| What is clear is that children who have ADHD usually | | | | when combined with medication, according to these |
| have at least one close relative with ADHD. At least | | | | studies. |
| one-third of fathers with ADHD have an ADHD child. | | | | You can read the ADHD research summary I'm |
| What's even more convincing is that it seems to run | | | | referring to on the National Institutes of Mental |
| in twin pairs--if one identical twin has ADHD, the | | | | Health web site. |