ADHD Medications May Be Associated with Neuroprotection

00:00 Introduction to the Topic
03:47 Growth in the cerebellum associated with stimulant medication
05:52 Growth in the regions of the basal ganglia associated with stimulant medication
08:16 Growth in brain volume associated with ADHD stimulant medications
08:50 Reviews of the literature showing neuroprotection from stimulant medications
10:26 Conclusion

Here I explore the results of 31 studies showing increased growth in the brain regions associated with ADHD (and usually found to be smaller) related to taking ADHD stimulant medications. This possibility of growth promotion from medication treatment is known as neuroprotection. Why has this not been mentioned in the trade media? Why haven’t we seen more studies of this over the past decade? These initial findings are incredibly positive ones if they can be further replicated. It is just possible that taking stimulant medications for several years or more may promote neural growth in the regions of the brain linked to ADHD and possibly contribute to improvement if not recovery from disorder. More research is needed, especially longitudinal studies to support these findings.

Disclosure: I receive no funding from the pharmaceutical industry.

References cited in video:

Ivanov, I. et al. (2013) Cerebellar morphology and the effects of stimulant medications in youths with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder. Neuropsychopharmcology. doi: 10.1038/npp.2013.257.

Sobel et al. (2010). Basal ganglia surface morphology and the effects of stimulant medications in youth with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. American Journal of Psychiatry, 167, 977-986.

Frodl, F. T. & Skokauskas (2012). Meta-analysis of structural MRI studies in children and adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder indicates treatment effects. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 125, 114-126.

Spencer, T. J. et al. (2013) Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 74, 902-917.

Moreno-Alcazar, A. et al. (2016). Psychiatry Research: Neuro-imaging, 254, 41-47.

Скачать видео