Dysregulated dopamine impacts the ability to sustain attention, control impulses, and manage hyperactivity. Lower dopamine availability in areas such as the prefrontal cortex and basal ganglia contributes to hallmark symptoms of ADHD, including difficulty completing tasks and maintaining focus (Arnsten, …
Increased activity of dopamine transporters (DAT) has been observed in some individuals with ADHD. This leads to a faster reuptake of dopamine from the synaptic cleft, reducing dopamine availability for signalling.
Dopamine is produced from the amino acid tyrosine and works by attaching to specific receptors in the brain, which are grouped into two main families: D1-like (D1, D5) and D2-like (D2, D3, D4).
Communication between two neurons occurs in a specialised structure called a synapse. The synapse is created when two neurons get close enough together to pass chemical signals from one to the other.
Critical Thinking and Logical Analysis
In children up to about the age of seven, certain brainwave patterns are more dominant, reflecting their developmental stage and cognitive processes. The primary brainwave types active in this period are:
In module one, we look more closely at the anatomy of the brain and learn what is happening in the brain of a patient with ADHD.
