ADHD and stress

Question 1

Define ADHD.

Answer 1

A disorder characterized by inhibited responses, lack of sustained attention and hyperactivity

Question 2

What are some symptoms of ADHD and what is it associated with?

Answer 2

• Not well defined

- Aggression, conduct disorder, learning disabilities, depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem

Question 3

What is the heritability for ADHD?

Answer 3

• Siblings of children with ADHD are between 5-7x more likely to develop the syndrome than children with unaffected families
• Children of a parent who has ADHD have up to 50% chance of experiencing the same difficulties

Question 4

What is the prevalence for ADHD?

Answer 4

Boys: girls = 10:1
Adulthood = 2:1
4-5% of grade school children

Question 5

What causes ADHD?

Answer 5

Hereditary role

Question 6

What in ADHD individuals is impaired?

Answer 6

The prefrontal cortex is impaired by low levels of dopamine receptor stimulation

Question 7

What is the role of the prefrontal cortex and dopamine?

Answer 7

Plays a role in almost all aspects of high order cognition including attention and behavioral flexibility

Question 8

What treatments exist for ADHD?

Answer 8

• Drugs (ritalin): inhibit and regulate impulsive behaviors. Inhibit the dopamine transporter increasing the time that dopamine has to bind to its receptors on other neurons
• Adderall: increases the activity of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain

Question 9

What hormones are involved in stress (pathway)?

Answer 9

1. CRH: stimulates the anterior pituitary to release ACTH
2. ACTH: stimulates the adrenal cortex to produce glucocorticoids
3. Cortisol: important in protein/carb metabolism
4. Epinephrine: nutrients stored in muscle become available
5. Norepinephrine and epinephrine: increase heart rate and blood flow

Question 10

What is the role of the adrenal glands?

Answer 10

Produce a variety of hormones including adrenaline and the steroids aldosterone and cortisol.

Question 11

What are the negative effects of long term stress?

Answer 11

• Affect brain development and behavior
• Impaired functions of the hippocampus and larger amygdala
• Increases blood pressure, damage muscle tissue

Question 12

What is the link with PTSD and with the number of traumatic events?

Answer 12

• Prefrontal cortex hypoactive in PTSD
• PTSD resilient individuals: the prefrontal cortex appears to inhibit the amygdala
• Extinction behavior failure
• The frequency goes up with the number of traumatic events

Question 13

What is the link between the immune system and stress?

Answer 13

People in stress have compromised immune systems

- Increased risk of infection