A New Approach to Treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurodevelopmental disorder with an estimated 11% prevalence in school-age children. ADHD is primarily characterized by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, and various cognitive dysfunctions that often persist into adolescence and adulthood.

Pharmacological interventions have been among the most used and recommended treatment options for ADHD. Pharmacological interventions can broadly be divided into stimulant and non-stimulant medications.  Although pharmacological interventions have been relatively effective and successful, the efficacy of these treatment options has been inconsistent in a considerable percentage of children with ADHD. For example, the efficacy of pharmacological treatments is often not long-lasting enough and suffers from partial response or non-response, adverse effects, and relatively poor adherence to dosage guidelines. Due to the complexity of ADHD pathophysiology, symptoms and treatment response, a need for a new treatment for ADHD has arisen.

Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) is a new and emerging approach to the treatment of ADHD. This approach utilises a variety of techniques designed to stimulate specific brain networks that are involved with ADHD. The Institute of Functional Neuroscience utilises EEG technology to specifically target NIBS to achieve more consistent and long-lasting responses in our patients.

If you would like to learn more about ADHD or our non-invasive approaches to the treatment of ADHD please contact us at 618 6254 2282 or email us at [email protected].

 

Reference

Salehinejad MA, Wischnewski M, Nejati V, Vicario CM, Nitsche MA. Transcranial direct current stimulation in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: A meta-analysis of neuropsychological deficits. PLoS One. 2019 Apr 12;14(4):e0215095. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0215095. Erratum in: PLoS One. 2019 Aug 20;14(8):e0221613. PMID: 30978259; PMCID: PMC6461252.