| One of the criticisms of utilizing medications or drugs in | | | | possess the genetic variation is thinner when |
| helping a child cope with the ADHD symptoms is that | | | | compared to the cortex of children without the said |
| the disorder might be caused by environmental factors, | | | | disorder and when compared to ADHD children |
| including parenting styles. But in the last decade, ADHD | | | | without the genetic marker. But the long-term study |
| or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder has already | | | | also showed that the cortices of these ADHD children |
| been established as a medical disorder. One | | | | normalize as they approach mid-teen years. This |
| well-known method of coping with the symptoms is to | | | | implies that an eight-year-old who has the genetic |
| cause chemical interaction with two neurotransmitters, | | | | marker for ADHD risk will be able to overcome the |
| dopamine and norepinephrine. This is why the majority | | | | ADHD symptoms and recover at the age of 16. This |
| of ADHD medications are stimulants, such as | | | | gives the ADHD children a better prognosis of their |
| amphetamines, dextroamphetamines, methylphenidate, | | | | disorder. In the meantime, while the child is still waiting |
| pemoline, and dexmethylphenidate. | | | | for the cortex to fully develop, the behavioral |
| Still, many parents, health professionals, and the general | | | | symptoms of ADHD can be managed by medication. |
| public are dubious of the effectiveness of these | | | | The identification of the genetic marker is just the first |
| medications. It might be another money-making | | | | step. How it exactly affect the brain is not yet fully |
| strategy of pharmaceutical companies. At the same | | | | understood. At the same time, not all ADHD-diagnosed |
| time, the use of stimulants to address hyperactivity | | | | children have this particular genetic variation. And it |
| does not sound rational. However, a recent study | | | | could be the reason why one ADHD medication will be |
| (Volkow, et al., pp 932-940) published by the Archives | | | | effective in one child but useless in another. |
| of General Psychiatry showed that a certain genetic | | | | Nevertheless, it becomes apparent that an |
| variation may increase the risk of suffering from | | | | individualized treatment for children with ADHD is |
| ADHD and the use of stimulants can actually inhibit | | | | needed. An individualized treatment will take into |
| dopamine activity. | | | | account the patient's genetic make-up. With more |
| The genetic variation resulted in a thinner cortex, the | | | | research in the field of genetics, mental disorders such |
| part of the brain that is critical to retaining attention. | | | | as ADHD can be better addressed. |
| That is, the cortex of the ADHD children who also | | | | |