Brain Imaging may show Stuff in All Disorders
Friday December 5, 2003
There has been a flurry of research findings showing brain problems in different disorders. Yesterday I reported on a study of the brain in schizophrenia, and today new research is announced that looks at ADHD and dyslexia.
In the ADHD study, ressearchers found that children with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may have significantly altered levels of neurotransmitters in the frontal region of the brain. They found that children with ADHD had two-and-half times the level of glutamate, described as an excitatory brain chemical that can be toxic to nerve cells. Read more on the ADHD study here.
In the dyslexia study, researchers found evidence that reading problems are linked to abnormal sound processing. They found that when children without reading problems tried to distinguish between similar spoken syllables, speech areas in the left brain worked harder than corresponding areas in the right brain (whose function is still unknown). Children with dyslexia made the same attempt, the right-brain areas (thought to not be language areas) actually worked harder. This APA press release contains more details of this study.
We will see more and more of these studies as we discover more and more about the brain using these new non-invasive imaging techniques. Much of the brain is still a mystery. Expect more headlines in the coming weeks as neuroscientists begin to unravel the mystery.
More Examples:
Brain Regions Impaired by Alcoholism Identified
Fibromyalgia Pain Isn't All in Patients' Heads
Brain Images Reveal Effects of Antidepressants
In the ADHD study, ressearchers found that children with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may have significantly altered levels of neurotransmitters in the frontal region of the brain. They found that children with ADHD had two-and-half times the level of glutamate, described as an excitatory brain chemical that can be toxic to nerve cells. Read more on the ADHD study here.
In the dyslexia study, researchers found evidence that reading problems are linked to abnormal sound processing. They found that when children without reading problems tried to distinguish between similar spoken syllables, speech areas in the left brain worked harder than corresponding areas in the right brain (whose function is still unknown). Children with dyslexia made the same attempt, the right-brain areas (thought to not be language areas) actually worked harder. This APA press release contains more details of this study.
We will see more and more of these studies as we discover more and more about the brain using these new non-invasive imaging techniques. Much of the brain is still a mystery. Expect more headlines in the coming weeks as neuroscientists begin to unravel the mystery.
More Examples:
Brain Regions Impaired by Alcoholism Identified
Fibromyalgia Pain Isn't All in Patients' Heads
Brain Images Reveal Effects of Antidepressants