Greetings from the National Library of Medicine and MedlinePlus.gov

Regards to all our listeners!

I'm Rob Logan, Ph.D. senior staff National Library of Medicine for Donald Lindberg, M.D, the Director of the U.S. National of Medicine.

Here is what's new this week in MedlinePlus.

To listen to Dr. Lindberg's comments, click here

The study, recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, is among the first to demonstrate some prior conditions that may elicit inattentiveness and hyperactivity in children and adults with ADHD.

While the study's 13 authors explain the previous focus in ADHD research and interventions has been on the inattentiveness of children and adults with ADHD, the results suggest motivation and related factors precede inattentiveness. In turn, this provides new insights for caregivers, teachers, parents, and others to assist kids and adults with ADHD.

The authors told Health Day that the study's results could be used immediately by teachers, who are encouraged to boost the engagement of ADHD children in classroom work and activities. In lieu of focusing on a child's attention span, the study suggests it might be more constructive to boost an ADHD child's motivation to succeed, and help them respond more favorably when their efforts are successful. The combination, the study's authors suggest, may help improve an ADHD child or adults' attentiveness and reduce their hyperactivity.

These suggestions are based on the study's brain imaging scans of dopamine pathways, which found (and we quote) 'a disruption in interest' (end of quote) occurs among adults with ADHD in pathways that seem to be linked to motivation and rewards. More specifically, the authors found disruptions in dopamine pathways as well as dopamine deficiencies among 53 never-medicated adults with ADHD compared with 44 adults without ADHD. Statistically significant dopamine deficiencies occurred within the entire left side of the brain as well as in specific brain regions.

Fortunately, the authors (who include scientists from the National Institute on Drug Abuse) note existing medications for ADHD target dopamine pathways and could help biochemically reinforce the recommended efforts to influence a person's motivation. Dopamine is a chemical that is vital to brain cell communication.

The authors explain about two to three percent of American adults have some form of ADHD. MedlinePlus.gov's ADHD health topic page notes ADHD affects 3-5 percent of children in the U.S. The authors add that ADHD is the most prevalent childhood psychiatric disorder that persists into adulthood.

Besides inattention and hyperactivity, MedlinePlus.gov's ADHD health topic page explains impulsiveness is a common characteristic of ADHD.

A website from the U.S. Centers for Disease Controls and Prevention explains some of the specific symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness that are used to diagnose three different types of ADHD. For example, some symptoms of hyperactivity in children (if continued for six months or more) include: fidgeting with hands or feet, squirming in a seat, frequently getting up from a seat at a time when remaining seated is expected, and talking excessively.

A complete list of the criteria is on the CDC website, along with treatment and other information. The CDC website is the 'diagnosis/symptoms' section of MedlinePlus.gov's ADHD health topic page.

There is additional information in MedlinePlus.gov's ADHD health topic page about: diagnosis/symptoms, treatment, alternative therapy, and coping. Some of the latest ADHD research is provided as well as ADHD information tailored for children, teenagers, women, and adults. A website provided by Consumers Union (available in the 'treatment' section) lists some of the medications currently available for adults and children with ADHD.

Some of the topics provided in the 'related issues' section include: ADHD in the military, helping children with the disorder, plus the educational rights of children with ADHD.

To find MedlinePlus.gov's ADHD health topic page, type 'ADHD' in the search box on MedlinePlus.gov's home page. Then, click on 'attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder (National Library of Medicine).'

We realize ADHD presents special challenges to parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, and friends. We hope medical research – similar to the recent JAMA study – continues to provide clinically derived insights as well as practical assistance for persons with ADHD.

Before I go, this reminder……. MedlinePlus.gov is authoritative,….. free…. does not accept advertising …and is written to help you.   

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We encourage you to use MedlinePlus and please recommend it to your friends. MedlinePlus is available in English and Spanish.

Your comments about this or any of our podcasts are always welcome. We welcome suggestions about future topics too!

Please email Dr. Lindberg anytime at: NLMDirector@nlm.nih.gov

That's NLMDirector (one word) @nlm.nih.gov

A written transcript of recent podcasts is available. Just click on the 'Director's comments' link on MedlinePlus' home page.

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A disclaimer –the information presented in this program should not replace the medical advice of your physician. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any disease without first consulting with your physician or other health care provider.

It was nice to be with you….

Dr. Lindberg returns in the future.

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