Pathophysiology Neuroimaging shows ADHD is associated with dysfunctions in several areas of the brain Neuroimaging shows ADHD is associated with dysfunctions in several areas of the brain
Imaging studies suggest ADHD is associated with dysfunction in the following areas17:
Frontostriatal
Anterior cingulum
Dorsolateral and ventrolateral prefrontal cortex
Orbitofrontal cortex
Superior parietal regions
Caudate nucleus
Thalamus
Amygdala
Cerebellum
Changes in neuronal plasticity may be behind persisting brain changes in ADHD
Three key regions in the networks mediating the control of attention and action sometimes show structural differences between groups with and without ADHD.18
The prefrontal cortex, the striatum (the caudate and the putamen), and the cerebellum hubs.18
The white matter tracts that form the physical connections in these 3 hubs may differ in the brains of individuals with impaired attention.18
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Neuroimaging studies
Structural changes Functional changes Neurotransmitter changes Hereditary and genetic factors