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A new study has verified what we already knew. The mechanism is unclear but the association is strong.
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Jan. 20th, 2011
ADHD mechanism rumination
Jan. 20th, 2011 12:12 pmRecent research has shown that children who are young relative to the other kids in their school classes are more likely to be diagnosed and treated for ADHD. This is presumably because they are younger, less well socialized and more childish than their classmates. That childishness can be problematic so they are singled out by teachers and sent down that path toward mind bending pharmaceuticals.
Last weekend's seminar supported my impression that ADHD may be a low dopamine state, either due to decreased levels of the neurotransmitter or decreased receptor activity or numbers. It also supported my impression that low dopamine can follow from childhood trauma. We all know how vicious kids can be, so just being the youngest may constitute trauma. We also know that low status primates within a group have lower serotonin levels.
I personally know two adult humans who are beneficially treated for their ADHD with ritalin. Ritalin's mechanism of action is unknown, but it is thought to influence several neurotransmitters, most especially dopamine. Some texts say it is a dopamine and serotonin reuptake inhibitor.
My question is this: How does being a younger, smaller and lower status individual in a group of mammals affect your dopamine function? And what IS the relationship of dopamine function to ADHD?
Last weekend's seminar supported my impression that ADHD may be a low dopamine state, either due to decreased levels of the neurotransmitter or decreased receptor activity or numbers. It also supported my impression that low dopamine can follow from childhood trauma. We all know how vicious kids can be, so just being the youngest may constitute trauma. We also know that low status primates within a group have lower serotonin levels.
I personally know two adult humans who are beneficially treated for their ADHD with ritalin. Ritalin's mechanism of action is unknown, but it is thought to influence several neurotransmitters, most especially dopamine. Some texts say it is a dopamine and serotonin reuptake inhibitor.
My question is this: How does being a younger, smaller and lower status individual in a group of mammals affect your dopamine function? And what IS the relationship of dopamine function to ADHD?
Here find a hilarious four minute clip in which Colbert castigates a fellow reporter for her disgust with the continuing news emphasis on imbecile Sarah Palin. I feel sorry for all those blue collar social conservatives who don't recognize how embarrassing she is to have as a public figure. And I feel grateful to finally have a diagnosis for my condition.
Funny how exciting a revelation like this can be to me. I finally understand why in alcoholic liver disease the AST is often elevated more than the ALT. Also the GGT may be normal. Why? Because both AST and GGT are dependent on vitamin B6 for their manufacture, and that particular nutrient is depleted by heavy drinking. Ha. Why didn't somebody tell me that years ago?
