Study: ADHD Likely Not Caused By Chemical Imbalance
Sponsored by Brain Balance Achievement Center
Study results from researchers at the University of Cambridge raise questions aboutbrthe theory that ADHD is caused by a chemical imbalance and instead point tobrstructural differences in grey matter as the potential culprit. For years, thebrmedical community has suspected that a dysfunction in dopamine, which controlsbrthe brain’s reward and pleasure centers, was the underlying cause ofbrinattention and impulsivity issues. An article from PsychCentral shares the following about the Cambridge study: During the study,brresearchers used a combination of positron emission tomography (PET) and magneticbrresonance imaging (MRI) to measure grey matter and dopamine receptors. Thebrfindings also showed that although participants with ADHD had significantlybrless grey matter in the brain and performed much worse in the attention testsbrthan the healthy controls, they had similar levels of dopamine receptors in anbrarea of the brain called the striatum. This important finding suggests therebrwas not necessarily any dysfunction in dopamine. The researchers hope thesebrresults will improve our understanding of the cause of ADHD and improve futurebrtreatments.
In addition to thebrCambridge study, a study from The University ofbrCalifornia–Davis Center for Mind and Brain shows children with ADHD have areasbrwithin their brains that fail to connect when they attempt a task that measuresbrattention. This research further underscores the potential role of grey matterbrdifferences in people with ADHD. Since the brain’s grey matter is responsiblebrfor proper neural function as well as routing and processing sensory motorbrstimuli, activities and exercises that promote neural connectivity can reducebror eliminate symptoms of the disorder. The right hemisphere of the brain regulatesbrimpulsivity, attention and socially appropriate behavior, so a child withbrdecreased right-brain activity may be hyperactive, oppositional, disruptive andbreven aggressive. The Brain Balance Program® combines individually customizedbrsensory-motor and cognitive activities that improve right brain connectivitybrleading to a reduction or elimination of behavioral symptoms. In addition, ourbrnutritional guidelines are supported by recent research that stresses the importance of a healthy diet in decreasing symptoms ofbrthe disorder.
Neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to improve and changebrthroughout a person’s lifetime, is at the heart of the Brain Balance Program.brOur drug-free, integrated approach brings parents and kids together to achievebra common goal of improving the child’s focus and attention, leading to a morebrsuccessful academic and personal life. Contact us today to learn more!
Since 2006, Brain Balance Achievement Centers has helped thousands of children, ages of 4 to 17, reach their, academic, social and behavioral potential through its drug-free, whole-child approach. The Brain Balance Program® utilizes sensory motor exercises, neuro-academic work and nutritional guidance to address the root cause of many learning and behavioral issues. Today, there are over 55 Brain Balance Achievement Centers nationwide. For more information, visit Brain Balance.