ADD and Dopamine

Impaired dopamine system and ADD are linked

Kathie Nunley, EdD., offers dozens of research-based body/brain articles especially designed for newsletters on her Brains.org website. Check out her Hot Topics from ADD to Violence, another great resource. Kathy is the originator of Layered Curriculum, a comprehensive sensory-motor enriching approach to meeting all learning styles.

Here is a HOT TOPIC that Kathie sends out with her free newsletters.

HOT TOPIC # 1: New research indicates that persons with Attention Deficit Disorder(ADD) may have a shortened perception of the time span of temporal events - particularly in working memory. This is suspected to be the result of an impaired dopamine system involving the prefrontal cortex. They tested this theory by checking what was the minimum tempo that rhythmic movement can be sustained in both persons with and withoutADD. It turns out that those with ADD have a rhythm cut-off that was much sooner than those without. Apparently these problems with dopamine delivery have recalibrated the internal clock that sets the time scale for our subjective thought process. Gilden, D. & Marusich, L. (2009). Neuropsychology. Vol 23(2), 265-269.

Followers of this blog know how large muscle movement over time, produces and pumps dopamine.

Caffeine Craze of Youth

Wake up and realize the growing problem

Dr. Kathie Nunley’s http://help4teachers.com/caffeine.htm article cites several problems with young people consuming more and more caffeine, increasing dramatically during the last decade. The body brain starts to rely more on artificial stimulants than producing its own excitatory chemicals. Obesity can be traced to soft drink consumption… the high phosphorus content in soft drinks can also rob bones of calcium, of particular concern to females.

Read other excellent articles on http://brains.org/articles.htm one of Kathy Nunley’s websites for educators and parents. Kathy originated the Layered Curriculum, an effective means of meeting student’s varied needs. Her insightful articles and exceptional educational programs are all body brain based. Kathy Nunley is extraordinary! Visit her website often.

Jeff Haebig