To print: Select File and then Print from your browser's menu --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Title: DG Dispatch - AAN: Differences In Brain Size Found In Hyperactive Children URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/F942E.htm Doctor's Guide April 19, 1999
By Cameron Johnston Special to DG News TORONTO, ON -- April 19, 1999 -- Children who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) appear to have less grey and white matter in the frontal portions of their brains than non-hyperactive controls. It is believed that about three to five percent of the children have ADHD. According to a study presented at the American Academy of Neurology, hyperactive children appear to have less grey matter (or brain cells) in the right frontal lobe of the brain, as well as less white matter -- the neuronal connections between cells in both the right and left frontal lobes. Among those with ADHD, the mean volume of grey matter in the right frontal lobe of the brain was 128 cc, whereas for normal controls, it was 139 cc. Similarly, the grey matter in the left lobe was 120 cc versus 128 cc. in the controls. Overall, hyperactive children have slightly smaller brains, although this difference is not significant researchers said. Stewart Mostofsky and colleagues from the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, MD, explained that ADHD is not a matter of the child failing to understand information. It is now understood that in children with this condition, the brain simply fails to process a response to the information and, therefore, the child's inhibitory controls do not function as they should. An increasing body of scientific literature suggests that the circuitry in the right frontal lobe of the brain is responsible for controlling motor impulses and hyperactive behaviours. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright © 1999 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of P\S\L content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of P\S\L. P\S\L shall not be liable for any errors, omissions or delays in this content or any other content on its sites, newsletters or other publications, nor for any decisions or actions taken in reliance on such content. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This news story was printed from *Doctor's Guide to the Internet* located at http://www.docguide.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to News Story Page This site is maintained by webmaster@pslgroup.com Please contact us with any comments, problems or bugs. All contents Copyright (c) 1998 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved.