Neuroscience and ADHD: Towards a More Precise Diagnosis of Attention Disorders

In the United States, more than one in ten children suffer from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a figure that is constantly increasing according to national statistics. Faced with the complexity of diagnosis and the heterogeneity of clinical presentations, neurosciences offer new avenues to better understand and treat these disorders.

Two distinct mechanisms in voluntary attention

Aurélie Bidet-Caulet's research at the Lyon Neuroscience Research Center identifies two distinct voluntary processes: the inhibition of irrelevant stimuli and the facilitation of relevant stimuli. These mechanisms have different electrophysiological correlates and can be affected independently of each other. A test measuring "distractibility," i.e., the ability to refocus after an interruption, was developed thanks to European funding.

Attentional immaturity in adolescence

Studies show that attentional capacities increase with age, but adolescents engage their frontal lobe more than adults for the same tasks. This immaturity of attentional processes raises questions about the frequent discontinuation of Ritalin in adolescence and argues for therapeutic alternatives such as neurofeedback or behavioral therapies.

These discoveries make it possible to precisely identify the processes affected in each case of ADHD and to adapt treatments accordingly.

For more details on this research, consult the full article on Cortex Mag.

Source: Attention disorders: how neurosciences improve diagnosis and therapeutic management | Cortex Mag – Brain, cognition and neurosciences for all

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