ADHD

Question 1

What is ADHD classified as in the DSM-5?

Answer 1

A developmental disorder.

Question 2

What is the essential feature of ADHD?

Answer 2

A persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity. Importantly, these factors must be shown to impact development in a clinically significant manner.

Question 3

What are the three types?

Answer 3

1. Inattentive
2. Hyperactive/impulsive
3. Combined

Question 4

What is diagnosis based on?

Answer 4

Symptoms that have occurred over the past 6 months, typically before age 12.

Question 5

Some symptoms of inattentive type? (6)

Answer 5

1. Distracted
2. Problems focusing
3. Hard listener
4. Poor following of instructions
5. Problems organizing
6. Avoids disliked tasks

Question 6

Some symptoms of hyperactive/impulsive type? (5)

Answer 6

1. Fidgets or taps
2. Not able to stay seated
3. Unable to do things quietly
4. Always on the go
5. Talks too much

Question 7

How many symptoms does each need for diagnosis?

Answer 7

1. Inattentive = 6 of 9
2. Hyperactive/Impulsive = 6 of 9
3. Combined = 6 of 9 of inattentive and 6 of 9 of hyperactive/impulsive

Question 8

What is a key feature in ADHD diagnostic?

Answer 8

Manifestations must appear in multiple settings.

Question 9

Prevalence of ADHD?

Answer 9

7.2% (Male to female ration 3:1)
2.5% in adults
(varies worldwide and through life)

Question 10

How does culture affect diagnostic?

Answer 10

-Primarily for elementary school boys (North American)
-Different around the world

Question 11

What is comorbidity?

Answer 11

When you have more than one illness.

Question 12

Comorbidity of ADHD?

Answer 12

1/3 children are diagnosed with only ADHD. Most have another underlying disorder.

Question 13

What are first-degree biological relatives?

Answer 13

Relatives that share 50% of their genetic material (siblings, parents…)

Question 14

What is the etiology of ADHD?

Answer 14

80% genetic (one of most inheritable disorder)

Question 15

Is there a specific gene for ADHD?

Answer 15

No.

Question 16

What are environmental/developmental risk factors? (2)

Answer 16

1. Children with a specific mutation in the dopamine reuptake transporter (DAT1) are more likely to exhibit symptoms of ADHD if their mothers smoked during pregnancy.
2. Perinatal Hypoxia - shortage of oxygen during birth.

Question 17

Behavioral markers with ADHD?

Answer 17

Rewards apparently have less of an influence over the behavior of children with ADHD.

Question 18

What is the Dual Pathway Model?

Answer 18

Theory about ADHD suggesting dysfunctions in both systems are to blame (executive function (frontal lobe) or reward function (mesocorticolimbic dopamine system)

Question 19

Brain areas implicated in ADHD?

Answer 19

1. Alerting Network (Frontal Cortex, Parietal Cortex, Thalamus) (Weaker with ADHD)
2. Frontostriatal Circuit (Dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, ventral anterior cingulate cortex, Nucleus Accumbens, Putamen, Amygdala, Cerebellum, Caudate Nucleus)

Question 20

Treatment for ADHD?

Answer 20

Drugs of the psychostimulant variety (Ritalin/Concerta/Adderall/Dexedrine) (70-90% effective)

Question 21

How do these drugs work?

Answer 21

The drugs are dopamine receptor blockers. They bind to the receptor and block dopamine from entering receiving neuron so dopamine builds up in the synapse.

Question 22

What is the prefrontal cortex receptor stimulation?

Answer 22

By increasing the levels of DA and NA release we can increase the alertness of ADHD patients at the right dose. If too much they can become too stressed.