Brain Maturity May Lag In Kids With ADHD

Earlier Brain-Imaging Research Missed The Phenomenon, Study Says

(CBS/AP)  Crucial parts of brains of children with attention deficit disorder develop more slowly than other youngsters' brains, a phenomenon that earlier brain-imaging research missed, a new study says.

Developing more slowly in ADHD youngsters -- the lag can be as much as three years -- are brain regions that suppress inappropriate actions and thoughts, focus attention, remember things from moment to moment, work for reward and control movement. That was the finding of researchers, led by Dr. Philip Shaw of the National Institute of Mental Health, who reported the most detailed study yet on this problem in Monday's online edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

"Finding a normal pattern of cortex maturation, albeit delayed, in children with ADHD should be reassuring to families and could help to explain why many youth eventually seem to grow out of the disorder," Shaw said in a statement.

Researchers compared the brain images of 223 kids with ADHD to 223 without the disorder, reports CBS News medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook.

They found most of the action in the front of the brain, the area responsible for attention and impulse control. On average, the ADHD brain shows about a 3- to 5-year lag in development compared to the normal one.

By mid-adolescence, adds LaPook, that gap has narrowed, though there may still be lingering behavior issues.

But not all children do outgrow the disorder, and co-author Dr. Judith Rapoport, also of the NIMH Child Psychiatry Branch, said the researchers are working to determine the differences between those that have a good outcome and those who do not.

Between 3 percent and 5 percent of school-age children are thought to have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Dr. Louis J. Kraus, chief of child psychiatry at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, said "what is really important about this study is it shows us there is clearly something biologically driven for children with ADHD."

Kraus, who was not part of the research team, said that with this finding no one can argue that children are making it up. "We don't know what the meaning is yet, whether it would change any type of treatment, but it is showing that there is something biologically different."

It is important that parents don't immediately jump out and want to get some type of MRI of their child's brain, or functional study to support a diagnosis," Kraus added in a telephone interview.

Shaw agreed: "Brain imaging is still not ready for use as a diagnostic tool in ADHD. Although the delay in cortex development was marked, it could only be detected when a very large number of children with the disorder were included. It is not yet possible to detect such delay from the brain scans of just one individual. The diagnosis of ADHD remains clinical, based on taking a history from the child, the family and teachers."

The research team used scans to measure the cortex thickness at 40,000 points in the brains of children with ADHD and those who were developing in a typical way. The scans were repeated two, three or four times at three-year intervals.

In both groups the sensory processing and motor control areas at the back and top of the brain peaked in thickness earlier in childhood, while the frontal cortex areas responsible for higher-order executive control functions peaked later, during the teen years, they said.

Delayed in the ADHD children was development of the higher-order functions and areas which coordinate those with the motor areas.

The only part of the brain that matured faster in the ADHD children was the motor cortex, a finding that the researchers said might account for the restlessness and fidgety symptoms common among those with the disorder.

Earlier brain imaging studies had not detected the developmental lag, the researchers said, because they focused on the size of the relatively large lobes of the brain.

The sharp differences were discovered only after a new image analysis technique allowed the researchers to pinpoint the thickening and thinning of thousands of cortex sites in hundreds of children and teens, with and without the disorder.

"If you're just looking at the lobes, you have only four measures instead of 40,000," explained Shaw. "You don't pick up the focal, regional changes where this delay is most marked."

Slowest to mature in ADHD children were parts of the front and side of the brain that integrate information from the sensory areas with the higher-order functions. One area lagged five years in those with the disorder.

Also participating in the study were researchers at the Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Canada. The research was funded by the Intramural Research Program at NIH.

[djlevy3]

As a "professional" adult suffering with ADD for years I was most intrigued as to the silly putty idea - so I decided to buy some and try it for myself. I often find that "fiddling" with small objects had helped in the past but never gave it much thought.
It''s fantastic! I''m not kidding!! It really does work!! Thanks for the tip. Keep''em coming!! We need all the help other than "Meds" that we can get!

[rugbyduck07]

Anyone else with ADD/ADHD or parent of a child with ADD/ADHD with SILLY PUTTY experience in helping to maintain concentration and focus?

[isleepwhenic]

Dr Max994 "that tries to pound square pegs into round holes." Yeah I agree, to an extent. I think it is people that do not believe or understand ADHD that try to make the ADHD people fit into their mold. They want you to sit, listen, follow directions, get things done on time, not forget etc. Well for ADHD those things are harder. Everyone has their own learning style. Check out this web page http://www.raisingsmallsouls.com/ and watch the clip animal school. It was a eye opener for me. I already knew people were different and learned different but this just really hits home. Now, should we medicate people with ADHD so they can ''fit'' into those holes? That is up to that person (or parents if a child with ADHD). BUT the meds DO help me. Most people would rather fit in than be an outcast. I find the medication helps clear my mind, I can focus, I can see what I need to do next and remember it! Is it for everyone, no. But then again, few things really are ment for anyone group of people. "homeschool if you have too but do not be drawn into the ADHD cespool" Actually isn''t that just saying if you are that round peg and are being forced into a square hole, if you do not fit, then out with you, go somewhere else. Some people have the ability to home school, it is HARD to do, some do not. My hubby has said there is no way he could do it. (not that I can) ALSO what about the single mom who has a child with ADHD? Just quit her job and stay home with ADHD child and home school? Yeah right!

[isleepwhenic]

Why are these children so smart?
Well it is a brain development but I believe it does not involve the cognitive processing of the brain but the impulse control and activity level development of the brain.

[isleepwhenic]

How do you get ADHD?
I am a special ed major and taking a class on mild disabilities. One of the power points that Sydney Zentall provided for us has:Genetic contributions:
Probability of inheriting activity level (.92 to .98) is greater than inheriting height (.81 inheriting IQ (.55)Found evidence at gene level-- differences in D4 receptor gene (dopamine and norepinephrine)Co-occurrences among 7 disorder(Kaplan et al, 2001)
SO what does that mean? Well most are genetic, but not all. Just like a man and a woman can both have brown eyes but still have a baby with blue eyes. I am not sure if ADHD is a dominate gene or recessive but it can be passed on.
Also ADHD has extremes, Ms. Wilson effectively summarized the array of characteristics when she stated, %u201Cit [ADHD] covers too much: from the child who never disturbs anybody but never gets anything finished to those that absolutely take your room apart because they are bouncing off the wall%u2019%u201D (Nowacek & Mamlin, 2007, p. 32).
So even though you may not %u2018see%u2019 it in your family it is likely that either they are at the other extreme or they have learned to cope and so you do not %u2018see%u2019 it.
Feel free to check out my website, it is small and I just started it but there is some info there that might help. I have my e-mail there if you want to chat. http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~ghuff/EDPS270/ADHD.htm
Marie

[isleepwhenic]

Silly putty.
Yes, I know those kinds of things work. I am a Special Education Major, who has ADHD and a child with ADHD. Having something to ''fiddle'' with helps. It gives your body a sence of motion. Some people may bounce their leg, (I do and it shakes the whole couch) this can be distracting, but if you have something to fiddle with then you are less like to do other more distracting things. I used to make friendship bracelets (the ones where you tie little knots in rows and make patterns) all through high school. My teachers allowed it as long as if I was called upon I could answer the question, meaning as long as I was paying attention. This helped me to pay attention and even my teachers mentioned it.

[rugbyduck07]

It was suggested to me a long time ago by an ADD / ADHD, author and "specialist" who happens to have ADD that by having available and discretely "playing" with (believe it or not) SILLY PUTTY, helped him immensely in focusing and concentrating while engaged in both work and leisure activities and of particular value when making presentations and public speaking.
I picked an egg up at a toy store several months ago, tried this and have found it helps me tremendously in daily activities where focus and attention is required and STRONGLY recommended it to children and adults with ADD.
Anyone else tried or has had similar success with Silly Putty????

[ctwmn63]

We would like to know how kids or people get ADHD.In my family we have two kids and both of them has ADHD. We were told that it comes from the parents. But in my family there is no one on my side have it. But on my husband side he is the only one that has it.

I would like to know how some people that have ADHD can live almost regular lives. See with my two boys we were told that they have ADHD at the age of 5yrs old now they are 19yrs old and 15yrs old. I tell you they are like having four kids in the family.

My oldest one is in 12th grade and he been in about 10 different schools in his life time. My other one is in 9th grade and he has been in one other school out of our district. But you can see that my oldest one is so far behind in his schooling that is not good at all. Now with my other son ,his education is coming along good. He is just getting tired to be in special ed now. I can see that the kids that are not at the district school these kid loose out on alot of different programs in the school. He goes to dances but in other cases that these kids can''t get into sports or clubs or other thing. Just because they are not in that school so they don''t know what is going on.

[ctwmn63]

We would like to know how kids or people get ADHD.In my family we have two kids and both of them has ADHD. We were told that it comes from the parents. But in my family there is no one on my side have it. But on my husband side he is the only one that has it.

I would like to know how some people that have ADHD can live almost regular lives. See with my two boys we were told that they have ADHD at the age of 5yrs old now they are 19yrs old and 15yrs old. I tell you they are like having four kids in the family.

My oldest one is in 12th grade and he been in about 10 different schools in his life time. My other one is in 9th grade and he has been in one other school out of our district. But you can see that my oldest one is so far behind in his schooling that is not good at all. Now with my other son ,his education is coming along good. He is just getting tired to be in special ed now. I can see that the kids that are not at the district school these kid loose out on alot of different programs in the school. He goes to dances but in other cases that these kids can''t get into sports or clubs or other thing. Just because they are not in that school so they don''t know what is going on.

[ctwmn63]

We would like to know how kids or people get ADHD.In my family we have two kids and both of them has ADHD. We were told that it comes from the parents. But in my family there is no one on my side have it. But on my husband side he is the only one that has it.

I would like to know how some people that have ADHD can live almost regular lives. See with my two boys we were told that they have ADHD at the age of 5yrs old now they are 19yrs old and 15yrs old. I tell you they are like having four kids in the family.

My oldest one is in 12th grade and he been in about 10 different schools in his life time. My other one is in 9th grade and he has been in one other school out of our district. But you can see that my oldest one is so far behind in his schooling that is not good at all. Now with my other son ,his education is coming along good. He is just getting tired to be in special ed now. I can see that the kids that are not at the district school these kid loose out on alot of different programs in the school. He goes to dances but in other cases that these kids can''t get into sports or clubs or other thing. Just becouse they are not in that school so they don''t know is going on.

[unionhawk]

incog-nito Posted:
I don''''t agree with this article at all. It''''s... what is it about again?

My post:
it''s about how "Brain Maturity" may just be slower in people with ADHD. What isn''t there to aggree about? 223 "Normal" Kids had brain scans, and 223 ADHD kids had brain scans. The ones with ADHD had a bit slower development in the decision making area of the brain. There''s no opinion to agree or disagree with at all...

[unionhawk]

Posted by naturebest (Many Times):
Natural way is the best solution.
Just read the many testimonials at maxamlabs.com, kids cured with a few sprays under the tongue. The success also points to the cause: toxic overload.
It seems that PCA-Rx is the flagship product that can generate real change for good.

my post:
naturebest, please, enough with the posting every minute; it''s annoying and pointless.

Honestly, I have no idea what the big deal is about ADD/ADHD treatment (nor do i know any difference) I just put on a small, rectangular patch, and my symptoms (for lack of a better word) are treated.

[samthetvcat]

Children with ADHD are Attention Deficti/Hyperactive Disorder whereas children with ADD are Attention Deficit. There is no description of the parts of the brain that support Attention Deficit Disorder. My question is if students are 3-5 year immature in those brain areas why are these children so smart? Now that we know that there is a physiological explanation for ADHD, what do stressed out teachers and stressed out parents who have to interact with these children do in the mean time?

Posted by wattermelann

Teachers put me in the corner a lot, but it made me feel so bad! :(

I wish I had ritalin when I was younger - no child likes to feel like they''re driving the teacher nuts. The ritalin explosion was just slightly before my time - I take it now, but wow how great it would have been to be able to sit still just like everybody else.

I think there''s a lot of fear and prejudice out ther when it comes to medicating children, so a lot of parents think they''re doing their kid a favor by keeping them ''natural''. That''s like saying kids should never wear sunscreen but should instead stay in the dark and never go outside. You can''t live like that. Accurate diagnosis is key. But a child who truly has ADHD which is not being treated - WOW, that must be really really hard to deal with as a teacher!!!!!

[naturebest]

Natural way is the best solution.
Just read the many testimonials at maxamlabs.com, kids cured with a few sprays under the tongue. The success also points to the cause: toxic overload.
It seems that PCA-Rx is the flagship product that can generate real change for good.

[incog-nito]

I don''t agree with this article at all. It''s... what is it about again?

[naturebest]

Natural way is the best solution.
Just read the many testimonials at maxamlabs.com, kids cured with a few sprays under the tongue. The success also points to the cause: toxic overload.
It seems that PCA-Rx is the flagship product that can generate real change for good.

[naturebest]

Natural way is the best solution.
Just read the many testimonials at maxamlabs.com, kids cured with a few sprays under the tongue. The success also points to the cause: toxic overload.
It seems that PCA-Rx is the flagship product that can generate real change for good.

[wattermelann]

Children with ADHD are Attention Deficti/Hyperactive Disorder whereas children with ADD are Attention Deficit. There is no description of the parts of the brain that support Attention Deficit Disorder. My question is if students are 3-5 year immature in those brain areas why are these children so smart? Now that we know that there is a physiological explanation for ADHD, what do stressed out teachers and stressed out parents who have to interact with these children do in the mean time?

[naturebest]

Natural way is the best solution.
Just read the many testimonials at maxamlabs.com, kids cured with a few sprays under the tongue. The success also points to the cause: toxic overload.
It seems that PCA-Rx is the flagship product that can generate real change for good.

[naturebest]

Natural way is the best solution.
Just read the many testimonials at maxamlabs.com, kids cured with a few sprays under the tongue. The success also points to the cause: toxic overload.
It seems that PCA-Rx is the flagship product that can generate real change for good.