Re: Children 'believe ADHD is contagious'


"Robert A. Fink, M. D." <lynxer@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:smm0h25e06q92c3n53c07mi13k3hbdrtn6@xxxxxxxxxx
On 18 Sep 2006 11:35:21 -0700, "PeterB" <pkm@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

We also need to address the issues of over diagnosis, over medication,
independence of the available science, reliability of purely
behavioural markers in identifying "disease," nutrition, dietary, and
other environmental factors.

PeterB


There are many people, myself included, who do not believe that ADHD
is a "disease".

There is excellent evidence that people with ADHD have brains with different
characteristics compared to people without ADHD. Two examples are below.
Whether or not the people with ADHD have a disease is a different question.

Learn Disabil. 1991 Mar;24(3):141-6.


Corpus callosum morphology in attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder:
morphometric analysis of MRI.

Hynd GW, Semrud-Clikeman M, Lorys AR, Novey ES, Eliopulos D, Lyytinen H.

Center for Clinical and Developmental Neuropsychology, University of
Georgia, Athens 30602.

Although behavioral evidence provides support for the notion that attention
deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is related to central nervous system
dysfunction, there is little direct evidence to reveal which neurometabolic
systems or brain structures are involved. Recent magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI) studies suggest that, compared to nondisabled controls, ADHD children
may have a smaller right frontal region. Morphometric analysis of MRI scans
was used in this exploratory study to determine whether correlated regional
variation might exist in the corpus callosum of children with ADHD. While
all MRI scans were judged to be clinically normal, morphometric analysis
revealed that, compared to nondisabled controls, ADHD children had a smaller
corpus callosum, particularly in the region of the genu and splenium, and in
the area just anterior to the splenium. Interhemispheric fibers in these
regions interconnect the left and right frontal, occipital, parietal, and
posterior temporal regions. These results suggest that subtle differences
may exist in the brains of children with ADHD and that deviations in normal
corticogenesis may underlie the behavioral manifestations of this disorder.

Using MRI to Examine Brain-Behavior Relationships in Males With Attention
Deficit Disorder With Hyperactivity.

Articles

Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.
39(4):477-484, April 2000.
SEMRUD-CLIKEMAN, MARGARET Ph.D.; STEINGARD, RONALD J. M.D.; FILIPEK, PAULINE
M.D.; BIEDERMAN, JOSEPH M.D.; BEKKEN, KAAREN Ph.D.; RENSHAW, PERRY F. M.D.,
Ph.D.
Abstract:
Objective: The relationship between neuropsychological measures of
inhibition and sustained attention and structural brain differences in the
regions of the caudate and the frontal region was examined in males with
attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity (ADD/H).

Method: Ten males with ADD/H (aged 8-17) and 11 male controls (aged 9-18)
participated in a neuropsychological evaluation and had a magnetic resonance
imaging scan.

Results: As had been reported previously by these authors, the children with
ADD/H were found to have reversed asymmetry of the head of the caudate,
smaller volume of the left caudate head, and smaller volume of the white
matter of the right frontal lobe. Children with ADD/H were found to score
more poorly on measures of inhibition and sustained attention but not on
measures of IQ, achievement, or motor speed. Comparison of
neuropsychological measures and brain structure measures indicated a
significant relationship between reversed caudate asymmetry and measures of
inhibition and externalizing behavior; i.e., children with reversed caudate
asymmetry performed more poorly on measures of inhibition regardless of
group membership. Poorer performance on sustained attention tasks was
related to smaller volume of the right-hemispheric white matter.

Conclusions: There is emerging evidence that compromised brain morphology of
selected regions is related to behavioral measures of inhibition and
attention.

Copyright 2000 (C) American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry


Best,

Bob

Robert A. Fink, M. D., FACS, PC
Neurological Surgery
2500 Milvia Street Suite 222
Berkeley, California 94704-2636
***********************************
NOTE: The material contained in this
message is not "medical advice".
Medical advice can only be given after
a face-to-face, "hands on" session
between doctor and patient.
***********************************

"Ex Tristitia Virtus"


.

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