| "What Causes ADD & ADHD?" | | | | Non-genetic factors that have been associated with |
| This is a question that has plagued many parents of | | | | ADHD include premature birth, maternal alcohol and |
| children who have been diagnosed with ADD. | | | | tobacco use, exposure to high levels of lead in early |
| Unfortunately, this is something to which they are not | | | | childhood and brain injuries, especially those that involve |
| going to get a simple answer. | | | | the pre-frontal cortex. But even together, these |
| Researchers are still uncertain about the underlying | | | | factors can account for only between 20 and 30 |
| factors that cause ADHD. | | | | percent of ADHD cases among boys. Among girls |
| Recent research indicates that ADHD is not a | | | | they account for an even smaller percentage. |
| "disorder of attention" per se as researchers had | | | | At one point, people believed that a poor home |
| assumed. It has been linked to a developmental failure | | | | environment might be the cause of ADHD.This myth is |
| in the brain circuitry that underlies inhibition and | | | | still prevelant today. However, the latest research |
| self-control. This loss of self-control in turn impairs other | | | | findings increasingly point to biological causes for the |
| important brain functions crucial for maintaining | | | | disorder. Not all children from unstable or dysfunctional |
| attention, including the ability to defer immediate | | | | homes have ADHD. And not all children with ADHD |
| rewards for later, greater gain. | | | | come from dysfunctional families. Parents can heave |
| Studies conducted by the National Institute of Mental | | | | a sigh of relief that this is something that is not their |
| Health in U.S.A. found that the rightpre-frontal cortex, | | | | fault. |
| two basal ganglia and the vermis region of the | | | | Another very common theory was that refined sugar |
| cerebellum are significantly smaller than normal in | | | | and food additives make children hyperactive and |
| children with ADHD. These findings make sense | | | | inattentive. As a result, parents were encouraged to |
| because the brain areas that are reduced in size in | | | | stop serving children foods containing artificial |
| children with ADHD are the very ones that regulate | | | | flavorings, preservatives, and sugars. |
| attention. | | | | However, data from a later study lead scientists to |
| Breakthrough scientific research in the field of | | | | conclude that the restricted diet only seemed to help |
| brainwaves have found that people with ADD have | | | | about 5 percent of children with ADHD, mostly either |
| lower than normal levels of Beta Brainwaves. This | | | | young children or children with food allergies. |
| means that they are less able to concentrate and | | | | In addition, ADHD isn't caused (but can be worsened |
| focus on the task at hand and are more prone to | | | | by) too much TV or food allergies or poor teaching |
| interruptions. But it is possible to easily and painlessly | | | | methods in schools. |
| raise the levels of Beta Brainwave patterns and so | | | | The bottom line is that no definitive cause that can be |
| enhance concentration, memory and improve focus as | | | | found. It could be a misfiring in the brain, it could be |
| well. To find out more, please go to | | | | cause by genetics, it could be caused by situational |
| Genetics can also play a role in ADHD. According to | | | | factors - the truth is that ADHD is here, but we're not |
| research findings, ADHD has a heritability factor of | | | | really sure why. |
| 80%. In other words, up to 80% of the differences in | | | | Instead of looking for a place to lay the blame for |
| attention, hyperactivity and impulsiveness between | | | | ADD, it would be far better to look for an effective |
| people with ADHD and those without the disorder can | | | | and safe method of coping with and treating ADD. |
| be explained by genetic factors. | | | | |