Neuroscience of ADHD

Parts of the brain¶

Huberman Lab: Min 24

Neural circuits¶

Default mode network¶

[!When is the default mode network active?]- when you're just sitting there

in [[Neuroscience of Depression]]

[!Parts of the default node network]- parts that are normally synchronized (like a band) when one is active, the others light up too - dorsal (top) lateral (side) prefrontal cortex - posterior singular cortex - lateral parietal lobe

[!Default mode network behaviour in ADHD or sleep deprivation?]- they aren't synchronized when one lights up, the others don't light up

Task networks¶

trying to make you goal oriented

[!When do task networks light up?]- when you try to suppress impulses

not scratching that itch

[!Parts of task networks]- medial prefrontal cortex communicates to other parts of the brain to suppress impulses

How the Default Mode Network and the task networks interact¶

[!Default Mode Network vs Task Networks in ADHD?]- usually anticorrelated When one is on, the other is off

ADHD: they're more synced - band playing instruments in a way that isn't sounding right - with treatment: becomes anticorrelated

Dopamine¶

[!What dopamine does?]- neuromodulator: makes some circuits more active than others

musical conductor ensure that task networks and default mode network aren't on at the same time

[!Dopamine effects on attention] creates a heightened state of focus narrowed audio and visual attention pay attention and motivated to want things to outside of the body

Low dopamine hypothesis¶

[!What happens to neurons with low dopamine?]- some neurons will fire when they shouldn't violin starts playing when it shouldn't

ADHD: self medication: boosts dopamine ADHD children & stimulants => calm non ADHD children go hyper

[[Adult ADHD Treatment#Treating low dopamine]]¶

Eye blinking¶

regulate how much info goes into nervous system - how large the bins are

blinking resets your perception of time
- movie: aaaaaaand cut
high dopamine
- less blinking
  - long term canabis users blink less
- people overestimate how long something lasted
low dopamine (or tired)
- more blinking
- people underestimate how long something lasted

Stimulants¶

Why they work for children - teaches children to learn what focus is like - neuroplasticity

Increases dopamine and norepenephrine

in a chemically enhanced state, the brain is more plastic

Pros for stimulant¶

can tell it's working right away
people get attached
- lose effects right away when you stop

Stimulant cons¶

revs up the rest of the body
⬆️ blood pressure
sleep problems
jittery
can be abused
- sold

Non stimulant Cons¶

takes week to work

Amygdala¶

fear
negative emotions

Insula¶

Insula and Amygdala are smaller in ADHD - when it's bigger, it can be more inhibited

Nucleus accombus¶

strongy affected by amygdala and insula

Prefrontal cortex¶

Orbital frontal cortex¶

emotions + decision making

What makes

What stimulant meditations do?¶

strengthens the pre-frontal cortex
Impulse control
maturity

Executive function¶

ability to plan and execute tasks
example: cleaning your room
- 4 year old
- they can do the individual tasks
- putting the books away
- unable to "clean your room"
It doesn't matter how important things are, it's not intentional,

Inhibition

Last update: 2023-04-24