-Caveat Lector- http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/health/A2144-1999Dec16.html Signature Found for Attention-Deficit Associated Press Friday, December 17, 1999; Page A28 Brain scans have revealed measurable biochemical differences in people with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a discovery that could reduce the number of children mistakenly diagnosed and put on drug treatment, researchers say. The diagnosis of ADHD, usually made in school-age children, is commonly based on observed behavior and some experts believe it is highly subjective. Some say the condition is being overdiagnosed in the United States, exposing children unnecessarily to medication; others argue it is not treated often enough. Earlier studies have shown scans can detect structural differences in ADHD sufferers' brains, as well as abnormalities in brain activity, and scientists suspect that defects in genes relating to the brain chemical dopamine probably are involved. The latest study, conducted at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and published in this week's issue of the Lancet medical journal, is the first to show a measurable biochemical abnormality in people with the disorder. Dopamine is associated with movement, thought, motivation and pleasure. One brain cell signals another by squirting dopamine. Then the first cell mops up the released chemical with a structure called a dopamine transporter. The researchers scanned the brains of six adults diagnosed with ADHD and 30 healthy people of the same age after injecting both groups with a chemical agent that attaches to the dopamine transporter. The ADHD sufferers had 70 percent more dopamine transporters than their healthy counterparts. The scientists could not tell, however, whether that was a cause or an effect of the disorder. � 1999 The Washington Post Company . DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance�not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
