ADHD Flashcards
What are signs/symptoms of ADHD?
Inattention: distractibility, forgetfulness, disorganization
Hyperactivity: fidgeting, restlessness, constant movement
Impulsivity: interrupting, blurting, impatience
What is the prefrontal cortex involved with?
attention, planning, executive function
What is the dorsolateral PFC involved with?
working memory, decision making
What is the prefrontal motor cortex involved with?
movement planning
What is the cerebellum involved with?
motor control, timing of movements
What is the anterior cingulate cortex involved with?
error monitoring, emotional regulation
What is the nucleus accumbens involved with?
reward processing, motivation
What is the orbitofrontal cortex involved with?
impulse control and social behavior
What is the basal ganglia involved with?
motor control, habit learning
What is the parietal cortex involved with?
spatial attention
What is the thalamus involved with?
sensory relay/filtering
What does ADHD in childhood typically look like?
hyperactivity, impulsivity
What does ADHD look like in adolescence?
symptoms may become internalized – restlessness, poor focus
What does ADHD look like in adulthood?
more executive dysfunction – time management, procrastination
What is the signal to noise hypothesis?
NE and DA help the brain focus on relevant information (“signal”) and ignore distractions (“noise”).
Norepinephrine targets α2A receptors which increases the strength of relevant input (the signal).
* Strengthens the connections between neurons that are processing relevant information
* Helps you stay on task, especially in situations where attention is needed over time (e.g., reading, working)
Dopamine targets D1 receptors which suppresses background firing (noise) to reduce distractions.
* Filters out irrelevant or competing inputs (like stray thoughts or external stimuli)
* Helps maintain mental clarity, task persistence, and goal-directed behavior.
Without enough NE/DA:
You can’t hold focus (too little “signal”)
You get easily distracted (too much “noise”)
What are the ADHD stimulants?
Methylphenidate (Ritalin):
* Blocks reuptake of both dopamine and norepinephrine → more of both in the synapse.
Amphetamines (Adderall, Vyvanse):
* Block reuptake AND promote release of NE and DA.
Effect: Rapid improvement in attention, focus, and control
Stimulants increase dopamine and norepinephrine in the PFC improve attention, decrease impulsivity/hyperactivity
* “DA + NE = Done Attention!”
What are the nonstimulants?
Atomoxetine (SNRI)
* Boosts NE, indirectly boosts DA in PFC (because DA is cleared by NE transporters here).
* Slower onset than stimulants but no abuse potential.
* Often better for patients with anxiety or tics.
Guanfacine and Clonidine (Alpha- 2A Agonists)
* Act directly on NE receptors to calm the system
* Best for hyperactivity, sleep issues, and aggression.
