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One criticism of the use of medicines or drugs to help a child cope with ADHD symptoms is that the disorder may be caused by factors environmental, including parenting styles. But in the last decade, ADHD or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder has been established as a medical disorder. A known method of addressing the symptoms is due to chemical interaction with two neurotransmitters, dopamine and norepinephrine. This is why most of ADHD medications are stimulants, like amphetamine, dextroamphetamine, methylphenidate, pemoline, and dexmethylphenidate.
However, many parents, professionals health and the general public are of questionable efficacy of these drugs. It could be another strategy to make money from pharmaceutical companies. At the same time, the use of stimulants to treat hyperactivity does not sound rational. However, a recent study (Volkow et al., Pp 932-940) published in the journal Archives of General Psychiatry shows that a particular genetic variation may increase the risk of ADHD and stimulant use can actually inhibit the activity of dopamine.
He genetic variation resulting in a thin crust, the part of the brain that is critical to sustain attention. That is, the cortex of children with ADHD who also possess genetic variation is thinner cortex compared with children without the disorder and said that the ADHD compared to children without the marker genetic. But the long-term study also showed that the bark of these children with ADHD to normal when approaching the mid-teens. This implies that an eight year old who has the genetic marker for risk of ADHD will be able to overcome the symptoms of ADHD and recover at the age of 16. This will children with ADHD give a better prognosis of their disease. Meanwhile, while the child is waiting for the crust to fully develop the behavioral symptoms ADHD can be managed by medication.
The identification of the genetic marker is only the first step. How exactly affect the brain not yet fully understood. At the same time, not all children diagnosed with ADHD have this particular genetic variation. And it could be the reason what ADHD medication will be effective in a child, but useless in another. However, it is clear that an individualized treatment for children with ADHD is needed. An individualized treatment will take into account the patient's genetics. With more research in the field of genetics, mental disorders such as ADHD may be better served.
Mayflor Markusic is an educator. She taught high school students for 4 years before moving on to teaching in college and training future teachers. She also become a part of a publisher’s writing pool and co-authored a series of elementary science textbooks. Her fields of specialization are in teaching, science education, and non-fiction writing. Her hobby is photography. Other articles by Mayflor Markusic can be read at Brighthub
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