With every published study that comes out, we develop a deeper understanding of ADHD and find new ways to treat or diagnose this mysterious disorder.  Two new studies on “mirror movements” reveals some interesting clues about childhood ADHD symptoms that may pave the way for a new way of testing for ADHD.

The two studies, which were published in the February 2011 issue of the medical journal Neurology, looked at children’s ability to control impulsive hand movements.  The first study involved the participation of 25 children with ADHD and 25 more without the disorder. All children were right-handed. Each child was asked to tap each finger of one hand to its thumb; during the exercise, any unintentional “mirror” movements in the other hand were recorded.  The researchers noted that those with ADHD had twice as many mirrored hand movements than the other children when the finger-tapping test was done on the left hand. The difference was more evident among boys with ADHD, who showed almost four times as many mirrored hand movements as those without ADHD.

The second study looked at the brain activity of a different set of kids – 49 children with ADHD and 49 children without. A technology called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was applied to the motor control region, enabling the researchers to activate the brain cells using magnetic pulses.  The researchers observed that a “braking mechanism” called short-interval cortical inhibition (SICI) is 40% lower in children with ADHD than those without the disorder. This means that they are less able to control movement and impulses. It was also noted that this reduced inhibition in the motor region was linked to the severity of ADHD symptosm.

These findings bring us one step closer to understanding how ADHD interferes with communication between the brain and body. They also reveal just how much children with ADHD struggle to keep unwanted behavior and actions under control, even at an unconscious level.  If developed properly, these findings can be used as an ADHD test, specifically to evaluate the disorder and examine how well the treatment is progression.

Despite these optimistic outcomes, please don’t use the motor movements test to identify ADHD in your child.  More work has to be done in order to make this test a feasible one. Parents hoping to use this method will only invite frustration and worry to an already confusing situation. If you suspect that your child has ADHD, have him or her evaluated by a licensed professional.

Just as there is more than one way to skin the proverbial cat, there are many ways to test for ADHD.  The UnRitalin Solution’s ADHD test protocol is designed to uncover the causes of the disorder, and the first step we take is to confirm that the child indeed has ADHD. ADHD cannot be diagnosed based on the symptoms alone because they resemble normal childhood behaviors or symptoms of other disorders.  In addition, doctors need input from parents, teachers, and relatives, who each have subjective interpretations on the severity of the child’s symptoms.

Recently, a company called BioBehavioral Diagnostics was able to design, test, and release an ADHD diagnostic system called the Quotient ADHD System.  This non-invasive device is the first FDA-approved diagnostic test for ADHD, and it claims to objectively measure the three symptoms of ADHD using functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and motion sensors.

The Quotient ADHD System simplifies the ADHD diagnostic for children and adults – it takes only 15 minutes for children under 13, and 20 minutes for teenagers and adults.  Before the test begins, a small reflector will be placed on the forehead and/or legs so the device can plot the pattern of movement. The child will then be asked to sit in front of the computer screen and respond to the geometric shapes that appear. While the child takes the test, the system collects data on his or her ability to inhibit impulses, sit still, and respond accurately to the images.  Minutes after the test is done, the computer releases a report analyzing the attention, shifts in attention, and motion of the child.  These patterns are then uploaded online and compared to a large database of over 2,000 children.  The doctor will receive a copy of the report and interpret it for you.  Of course, any results from the Quotient ADHD System should always be contextualized and used with other assessment tools to guide a child’s treatment plan.

The Quotient ADHD System should only be administered by trained health care professionals in a clinical setting. The BioBehavioral Diagnostics website has a search tool of practitioners who have the Quotient ADHD System, as well as more information about the tests and published case studies.

Screen cap from CBS Health Watch

Numerous studies have confirmed that ADHD indeed has a genetic basis, which is worrisome for parents who recognize the symptoms from their childhood experiences. As a result, many companies capitalize on this information by offering home DNA tests for various inherited conditions, including bipolar disorder and ADHD.  Can a home DNA test predict the onset of ADHD in your child? How useful can such a test be?

You’ll find many of these home DNA tests on the shelves of a pharmacy or on websites.  DNA tests look at your genes, which contain DNA instructions inherited from family.  They also look at chromosomes, which contain DNA, and enzyme levels. Using them is very simple – all you need to do is swab your child’s cheeks for cells that are loaded with DNA, obtain a blood sample, or get a stool sample. The sample will then be mailed to the testing company for analysis. In several weeks’ time, a health profile will be mailed to you with information about your child’s genetic health profile, genetic background, an assessment of the risk for ADHD, and recommendations for reducing this risk.   However, most of these results are misleading – DNA testing cannot predict whether or not your child will inherit ADHD.

In the first place, there is no specific gene that causes ADHD. While the presence of certain genes can influence a child’s response to treatments or cause variations in symptoms, they do not cause ADHD itself.  They can only place a child at risk for ADHD, but it does not guarantee that the child will develop the disorder.  A child who has a 30% chance of developing ADHD also has a 70% chance of not developing it.  What causes ADHD is the interaction of a specific genetic profile with various environmental causes.  This is something that a home DNA test cannot predict.

If you are concerned that your child might develop ADHD because you or your partner have the disorder, there are many things you can do to reduce the impact of your genes on your child’s development.  A nutritious diet free from artificial additives is a good starting place.  Promoting exercise and lots of physical activity prevents hyperactive behavior and provides the brain with the stimulation it needs.  Making sure your child consumes the daily recommended amount of vitamins and minerals is also important when preventing ADHD.

Even if you feel that a home DNA test might ease your worries, remember that there is no such thing as a DNA test that can diagnose ADHD, and any information derived from such tests will be of little use. Additionally, reliable genetic tests are always done at a lab setting, not at home.  In fact, the FDA’s regulatory agency has only approved 12 of the 1,000 currently available genetic tests; of this dozen, none are tests that you can take at home.  Consult your health care provider before you order any self-administered tests for ADHD. If you really are concerned, have your child evaluated for ADHD by a professional.

Most pediatricians and psychiatrists diagnose ADHD based on a series of criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-IV).  According to the DSM-IV, there are three types of ADHD: inattentive type, hyperactive-impulsive type, and combined type.  But did you know that there are more than three types of ADHD?

Psychiatrist Dr. Daniel Amen has handled hundreds of children and adults with ADHD and developed a special brain imaging technique called the SPECT test to help him find the cause of the condition.  His work on SPECT imaging made him realize the full complexity of the disorder.  Over the years, he noticed that there are six distinct SPECT patterns in his ADHD patients, and that each requires a specialized treatment. Based on these observations, Dr. Amen came up with the six types of ADHD.

Type 1: Classic ADHD

Classic ADHD describes the hyperactive-impulsive type with a little inattention.  This is usually treated with omega-3 fatty acids, amino acids like L-tyrosine, and multiple vitamins.

Type 2: Inattentive ADHD

Inattentive ADHD is similar to the DSM-IV’s Inattentive Type – low energy, low motivation, always daydreaming, etc.  This type is common in girls and is often diagnosed later in life.  Like Classic ADHD, Inattentive ADHD can be treated with omega-3 fatty acids, amino acids, and vitamins.

Type 3: Overfocused ADHD

A child with Overfocused ADHD experiences typical ADHD symptoms as well as oppositional behavior, argumentative tendency, cognitive inflexibility, a need for sameness, or negative behavior. This type of ADHD is common in families with obsessive-compulsive tendencies or addiction problems.  This can be treated with the amino acid L-tryptophan, St. John’s Wort, omega-3 fish oils, and vitamins.

Type 4: Temporal Lobe ADHD

A child with Temporal Lobe ADHD experiences typical ADHD symptoms as well as headaches, periods of anxiety, a short fuse, memory problems, dark thoughts, and difficulties learning to read.  This type is common in families with a history of mood disorders and learning disorders. Treatment includes GABA for irritability, vitamins, and omega-3 fish oils. Sometimes, anti-seizure medication is given.

Type 5: Limbic ADHD

A child with Limbic ADHD experiences typical ADHD symptoms and low self-esteem, mild depression, poor social skills, irritability, insomnia, and poor appetite. Treatment includes omega-3 fatty acids, amino acids, St. John’s Wort, and vitamins.

Type 6: Ring of Fire ADHD

A child with Ring of Fire ADHD experiences typical ADHD symptoms as well as angry outbursts, extreme mood swings, excessive talking, fast thoughts, inflexibility, and sensitivity to light and sound.  This ADHD type was called “Ring of Fire” because of the ring of overactivity seen in brain scans of affected children.  Treatment includes vitamins, omega-3 fats, and amino acids.

While these six ADHD categories make it easier to identify appropriate treatments, try not to get too focused on what type of ADHD your child has. At the very core of it all, ADHD and its co-morbid disorders are caused by the same underlying problem – a functional disconnection syndrome. This means that the regions of the brain aren’t communicating with each other as well as they should. What’s important is finding the type of treatments that will best rehabilitate your child’s brain and address his or her unique constellation of symptoms.

If you’re interested in finding out more about Dr. Amen’s work, you can visit his website at amenclinics.com.

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