ADHD

Question 1

What is thought to account for reckless behaviour in teenagers?

Answer 1

pre-frontal cortex grows slower than amygdala

Question 2

What accounts for immature and impulsive behaviour in developing young people?

Answer 2

glutamergic neurotransmission predominates

Gama-aminobutyric acid neurotransmission immature

Question 3

What is ADHD and how is it caused?

Answer 3

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Genetic influences in D4 and D5 receptors, dopamine trasnporters, serotoonin transporters

Environmental factors include neglect, low birth weight, maternal smoking etc

Question 4

A patient with ADHD may show reduced brain volume where?

Answer 4

cerebellum

splenium of corpus collosum

cerebrum

caudate nucleus

frontal lobe

Question 5

How is ADHD treated?

Answer 5

Psychostimulants - act on D1 in prefrontal cortex and D2 in striatum:

 - methylphenidate - blocks dopamine reuptake
 - Dexamphetamine (prodrug is elvanse) - releases dopamine stored in presynaptic vesicles

Atomexetine - acts on noradrenergic receptors inprefrontal cortex

Clonidine - alpha-2-adrenergic receptor agonist