Some of the suspected causes of ADHD are outlined in this short article. Physical Factors Advanced imaging techniques have detected differences in the brains of ADHD children compared to those of non-ADHD children. The prefrontal cortex, which is located in the front of the brain, is thought to be the brain's command center and regulates the ability to inhibit responses. The caudate nucleus and globus pallidus, located near the center of the brain, speed up or stop orders coming from the prefrontal cortex. Abnormalities in these areas may impair a person's ability to brake actions, resulting in the impulsivity typical of ADHD people.
Dopamine is under particularly scrutiny.
One recent study, for example, reported that adults with ADHD had abnormally low levels of DOPA decarboxylase, the enzyme that produces dopamine. Problems Surrounding Pregnancy ADHD is often associated with problem pregnancies and with difficult deliveries. Genetic Factors Evidence is increasing that genetic factors increase susceptibility. Researchers are reporting underlying genetic mechanisms that regulate hyperactivity, particularly those that affect the neurotransmitter dopamine. Studies are finding that a variation of a dopamine D4 receptor gene is common in a high proportion of people with addictions and ADHD and appears to be associated with novelty seeking and extroversion.