ADHD

Question 1

What is the leading childhood disorder in the world?

Answer 1

ADHD (10-11% of kids)

Question 2

What is the number one reason a child will be medicated?

Answer 2

ADHD

Question 3

What are the comorbidities of ADHD?

Answer 3

OCD, Tourette’s, depression, anxiety, conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, learning disorder, substance abuse

Question 4

What is the ratio of boys to girls affected?

Answer 4

3:1 boys to girls

Question 5

What percent of kids with ADHD still have it as an adult?

Answer 5

85%

Question 6

How many years reduced life expectancy if have ADHD as adult?

Answer 6

13 years

Question 7

How many years reduced life expectancy if have ADHD as child?

Answer 7

9.5 years

Question 8

What is Type 1 ADHD? What part of brain?

Answer 8

Inattentive (classic) ADHD, affects DLPFC

Question 9

What is Type 2 ADHD? What part of brain?

Answer 9

Hyperactive - Impulsive ADHD, affects OFC

Question 10

What is Type 3 ADHD? What part of brain?

Answer 10

Combined (1 & 2), affects both DLPFC & OFC; underdeveloped on right & left side is overdeveloped)

Question 11

What is DMS criteria for ADHD?

Answer 11

subjective, based on history, no lab test or even standard test; Brown scale, must exhibit below criteria in at least 2 different environments (school, home, etc.)

Question 12

What is the most common type of ADHD?

Answer 12

Combined (type 3)

Question 13

What are the DSM characteristics of Type 1 ADHD?

Answer 13

easily distracted, doesn’t pay attention to detail, doesn’t listen when spoken to, makes careless mistakes, doesn’t follow through on tasks/instructions, forgetful, avoids/dislikes activities requiring longer periods of mental effort

Question 14

What are the DSM characteristics of Type 2 ADHD?

Answer 14

restless, fidgets/squirms, runs & climbs & unable to stay seated, blurts out answers before hearing entire question, has difficulty playing quietly, talks excessively, interrupts others, has difficulty waiting in line or for a turn

Question 15

What is the conventional treatment for ADHD?

Answer 15

medication (stimulants, antidepressants, clonidine)

Question 16

What should be done before starting ADHD medication? Why?

Answer 16

AHA recommends EKG because 500% increased risk of cardiac death!

Question 17

What does it mean if an ADHD kid responds to stimulants?

Answer 17

almost always a right brain deficit

Question 18

What does it mean if an ADHD kid does not respond to stimulants?

Answer 18

it’s typically a left brain deficit

Question 19

How long does Ritalin help?

Answer 19

positive results for first 14 months
little difference by 3 years
no difference by 8 years

Question 20

Do ADHD meds improve kids’ grades in school?

Answer 20

No according to July 2013 study in Wall Street Journal

Question 21

What are the 5 Types of Attention?

Answer 21

(1) Vigilance
(2) Sustained attention
(3) Alertness
(4) Focused attention
(5) Divided attention

Question 22

Which type(s) of attention is governed by the left brain?

Answer 22

Focused attention (short term, reward reinforced)

Question 23

Which type(s) of attention are governed by the right brain?

Answer 23

Vigilance, Sustained, Alertness, Divided (long term, non-reward based)
*both hemispheres are involved in divided attention but clear primary role is played by the right hemisphere (esp. right DLPFC)

Question 24

Which neurotransmitters are predominantly Right brain? (more receptors for these NTs in the Right brain)

Answer 24

Norepinephrine & Serotonin

Question 25

Which neurotransmitters are predominantly Left brain? (more receptors for these NTs in the Left brain)

Answer 25

Dopamine & Acetylcholine

Question 26

What are the names of the scales used to assess for ADHD?

Answer 26

Brown scale (for medical professionals)
Conner scale (for non-medical)
WIAT (Weschler Individual Achievement Test) = academic assessment in 130 subject areas

Question 27

Commission errors are committed by?

Answer 27

Impulsive (Type 2) ADHD

right OFC delay temporal lobe

Question 28

Omission errors are committed by?

Answer 28

Inattention (Type 1) ADHD

left?? DLPFC delay parietal lobe