MRi Brain Scans & EEG
As a Neurodevelopmental Condition, ADHD can be analysed
using MRi Brain Scanning equipment and EEG
(Electroencephalogram) imaging. These specifically look at
the activity of the brain in different ways which allow the
electromagnetic signals to be measured and visualisations of
that activity to be created. A significant database of
brain scans have been carried out during lack of activity,
mental task activities, verbal activities and also day to day
physical activities to provide a helpful understanding of what
is taking place in the "normal/average" brain and also the
"ADHD" brain. It has become clear in these studies that
the brain is a fully functional device in ADHD but is similar to
"a sophisticated rocket that someone forgot to add enough fuel
to".
What they have discovered is that
ADHD is a condition of the
Pre-Frontal Cortex (Lobe) which is
not operating as it does in the
wider population. In the cases
of socially problematic symptoms the
sections dealing with the Executive
Functions dealing with emotion
suppression, inhibition and
impulsivity (e.g. behavioural
control) show lower activity than
expected. It is therefore
understood that the executive
functions are either not operating
in the given situation or have
operated too slowly and therefore
failed to prevent the action being
taken by the person with the
condition. Likewise they have
discovered other areas which have
increased activity and affect
aspects which have not previously
been considered by the diagnosis
system as being symptoms of ADHD
however have been noted by families
and medical professionals across the
globe.
The conclusion is therefore that
the although fully operational the
brain of an ADHD person operates in
a different manner to the average
population. This causes very
negative social communication and
social interaction problems, and
also cause or affect Learning
Disabilities which in turn can again
cause significant issues through out
life.
Currently the problem with brain
scans is the differences between
each person are very very small and
not noticeable by the human eye
however through computer analysis of
100 subjects the computers can see
very clear differences. The
change is now to develop a
computerised analysis of individuals
which can determine the combinations
required to deem a person as having
ADHD. We wait in anticipation.
Chemical Imbalances
Due to the sometimes unusual responses of the brain
they have discovered also that ADHDers also produce unusual
levels of Dopamine, Cortisol and Adrenaline.
"Dopamine is
mainly involved in controlling
movement and aiding the flow of
information to the front of the
brain, which is linked to thought
and emotion. It is also linked to
reward systems in the brain.
Problems in producing dopamine can
result in Parkinson's disease, a
disorder that affects a person's
ability to move as they want to,
resulting in stiffness, tremors or
shaking, and other symptoms. Some
studies suggest that having too
little dopamine or problems using
dopamine in the thinking and feeling
regions of the brain may play a role
in disorders like schizophrenia or
attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder (ADHD)."
National Institute for
Mental Health, USA
Cortisol, known more
formally as hydrocortisone (INN,
USAN, BAN), is a steroid
hormone, more specifically a
glucocorticoid, produced by the
zona fasciculata of the adrenal
cortex. It is released in
response to stress and a low
level of blood glucocorticoids.
Its primary functions are to
increase blood sugar through
gluconeogenesis; suppress the
immune system; and aid in fat,
protein and carbohydrate
metabolism. It also decreases
bone formation.
Wikipedia
The adrenal medulla is
the core of the adrenal gland,
and is surrounded by the adrenal
cortex. It secretes
approximately 20% norepinephrine
(noradrenaline) and 80%
epinephrine (adrenaline).[4] The
chromaffin cells of the medulla,
named for their characteristic
brown staining with chromic acid
salts, are the body's main
source of the circulating
catecholamines epinephrine and
norepinephrine. Catecholamines
are derived from the amino acid
tyrosine and these water-soluble
hormones are the major hormones
underlying the fight-or-flight
response.
Wikipedia
This issue clearly results in a
variety of problems. Some is
believed to be where the individual
can portray diabetes or
hyperglycaemic symptoms whilst
having a fully functional system and
remaining within normal sugar
levels. High adrenaline levels
causes high insulin levels and
combined with high cortisol levels
creates a combination of an
individual who is struggling with
low blood sugar levels and is in a
state of "fight or flight".
Significantly more research into
this is needed.
Co-existing conditions such as
Tourette's and OCD have problems
with Glutamate levels.
Glutamate is the most
common neurotransmitter,
glutamate has many roles
throughout the brain and nervous
system. Glutamate is an
excitatory transmitter: when it
is released it increases the
chance that the neuron will
fire. This enhances the
electrical flow among brain
cells required for normal
function and plays an important
role during early brain
development. It may also assist
in learning and memory. Problems
in making or using glutamate
have been linked to many mental
disorders, including autism,
obsessive compulsive disorder
(OCD), schizophrenia, and
depression.
National Institute for
Mental Health, USA
DNA
The DNA is responsible for a significant quantity of
aspects of the development of the
human body. Once it was
believed to contain 100% of the data
that makes up a human body however
this has since been proven
incorrect.
The structure of DNA is a double
helix (two long strands connected),
which can be classified in sections
called Chromosomes. At the
ends of each Chromosome are
quadreplex structures (4 strands)
which allow the the cell to
replicate Chromosome ends.
Overall the entire concept of DNA is
rather complicated to explain but
for further information go to
Wikipedia. For our
purposes we need to point out that
within each Chromosome are small
sections which act like switches and
help the body build in various ways.
Those switches consist of sections
of data that appear missing, are
present or are duplicated along the
Chromosome double helix. These
are very small sections are are very
common throughout all of the DNA.
These switches allow for things such
as what colour eyes you have when
the eye is constructed.
With ADHD they have found that a
number of the Chromosomes lead to
the size, shape and functionality of
the various parts of the brain.
These variations are as common as
eye colour and nose size & shapes
etc and are a normal part of every
human being. Chromosomes 2, 3,
7, 15 & X are currently receiving
the most study related to ADHD.
They are however also studying
Chromosomes 1, 4, 8, 14, 16, 17 & 22
which are also showing clear
indications of being involved as
well.
Further Information
We have looked specifically at a
layman's view of the issues
associated with ADHD. For a
professional explanation of the
normal functions of the brain please
visit
The National Institute of Mental
Health (USA) for more in depth
explanation. Unfortunately we
do not know at this time of any
professional website offering a
explanation of the issues
relating to ADHD and hope that this
proves to be a helpful resource for
everyone until such time as one is
made known.
Disclaimer
This site is intended to hold layman's explanations of the
latest scientific information and is not intended to be a
scientific paper. We acknowledge some aspects of our
explanations are an over simplification of the science and is
based on conjecture of various leading scientists and our own
knowledge. Information on this page will change over time
as a greater understanding of the science is achieved and their
is greater consensus between the leading scientific minds on
these issues. We however believe we have kept as close as
is possible to the best knowledge of the science and welcome any
correction from those with great scientific knowledge.
