Key takeaways

  • Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects brain structure and function.
  • Studies link ADHD to brain differences in areas tied to cognitive control, attention, timing, and working memory. Lower dopamine and norepinephrine levels in people with ADHD can make motivation and emotional regulation harder.
  • Treatment often combines medication, therapy, and adaptive behaviors to reduce symptoms and improve daily functioning. Common options include stimulants, nonstimulants, and talk therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy.
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For a long time, people thought that the symptoms of conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were behavioral — or that they could be fixed with discipline or better parenting. However, ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder, meaning that it affects the structure or function of the brain or nervous system.

Irregularities in the brain can cause behavioral issues, such as trouble with emotional regulation or impulsivity. They can also affect the way people think, learn, and interact with others.

Research has shown that ADHD is associated with variations in several different regions of the brain. These parts of the brain are associated with functions such as:

  • cognitive control
  • attention
  • timing
  • working memory

A 2020 study found that decreased gray matter volume and surface area in the prefrontal cortex and anterior caudal anterior cingulate cortex were associated with ADHD.

Structural abnormalities in the brain may also differ between the types of ADHD. For example, a 2022 study found that individuals with combined type ADHD may have decreased subcortical volume. Those with inattentive-type ADHD had more differences compared to those with combined-type ADHD.

ADHD is also associated with lower levels of the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine.

Dopamine regulates emotions and is associated with feelings of pleasure and reward. Lower levels of dopamine may be present in the ADHD brain, making it harder to maintain motivation, especially on larger tasks where the reward is not immediate or on tasks where the reward seems small or insignificant.

Brain function refers to the many processes that are taking place within your brain at any given time.

According to fMRI studies, people with ADHD have impairments in a variety of brain functions. In particular, researchers have found impairments in executive functions, such as:

  • planning
  • timing
  • attention
  • working memory

Researchers have also found abnormalities in areas that involve emotional control and motivation.

Other research has noted differences in the reward processing networks of the brain. Some studies have found deficits in reward-related decision making. Other findings on this topic have been inconsistent, though.

Individuals with ADHD may also have a more active default mode network (DMN) compared to those without ADHD. The DMN is an area of the brain that activates when you are unfocused, such as when you are daydreaming. This may result in your attention being pulled away from the task you are trying to focus on.

But what do these study results mean? It’s possible that these changes in brain structure and function lead to many of the symptoms that people with ADHD experience.

ADHD treatment aims to lessen symptoms and improve overall functioning in daily life. Usually, this is achieved through a combination of medication, therapy, and adaptive behaviors.

Medication

Medications can help lower the chronic symptoms of ADHD, which can greatly improve everyday functioning and overall quality of life.

Two of the most common types of medications prescribed for ADHD are:

  • Stimulants: Stimulant medications include options such as Adderall, Vyvanse, and Ritalin. They can help reduce the symptoms of ADHD by increasing levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain.
  • Nonstimulants: Nonstimulant medications, such as Strattera, Kapvay, and Intuniv, can also help improve the symptoms of ADHD — such as impulsivity and inattention — by changing the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain.

Therapy

Therapy can help people with ADHD thrive in their daily lives. Different types of talk therapy can help people develop coping skills that help them regulate their emotions, change problem behaviors, and set goals.

Different therapeutic approaches for ADHD may include:

  • Behavioral therapy: Behavioral therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, can help people with the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that shape their daily lives.
  • Family therapy: Family therapy — as well as marriage therapy for adults with ADHD — is a therapeutic approach that can help improve the way that symptoms of ADHD affect home life and relationships.
  • Parent training: Parent training can teach parents of children with ADHD how to help their children improve not only their behaviors but also their self-esteem, through cognitive behavioral techniques.

ADHD can change the way that the brain develops — and in turn, the way that it functions.

Research has shown that these physical changes in the brain can lead to many different symptoms of ADHD, including decreased attention and motivation.