Attention Deficit

Just as NASA astronauts and pilots train to increase attention, Play Attention literally teaches the user to increase concentration, complete tasks, visual tracking, short-term memory, and to filer out distractions – all the skills necessary to be successful in the classroom. The learner directly observes his mind’s ability to command the computer screen in real-time.

Continue reading: Using NASA Technology to Increase Attention and Cognitive Function

The bottom line is: The brain can be retrained to overcome learning disabilities, cognitive impairments, ADHD, etc. What we now know is that this is done over a vast network in the brain that encompasses many other minor and major networks. You could think of retraining as the confluence of several telephone companies coming together to in order to overcome a limitation. Each has its own network and substructure but can become bigger and stronger (overcoming their respective limitations) by merging with the other network (think AT&T and Cingular). In the brain, this is done over a wide area of networks – not locally in distinct surface areas as superficial brain imaging might indicate.

Continue reading: ADHD: Retrain the Brain

…researchers can find numerous parts of the ADHD brain that seem dysfunctional. A major flaw in virtually all of this research is that they use very small groups that cannot depict the vast spectrum brain variability among the human species. This published research confuses many people as it seems the brains of those with ADHD are smaller, have damage in the basal ganglia, putamen, frontal lobes, cerebellum, and brain stem. This amounts to little more than neophrenology. Publication of this neophrenology allows media to portray ADHD individuals as irreparably brain damaged which is both harmful and flagrantly untrue.

Continue reading: Is the ADHD Brain Damaged?

There are more demands on our attention and less training for us to stop and take it all in. This is of particular interest when it comes to children who have grown up in the fast lane where Web pages that take more than five seconds to load are considered lame. Is the speed and ease compromising their attention spans? Their perspective? Their humanity? Even their work ethic? Or are we just threatened that they will lap us old fogies?

Little is understood about the Information Age’s effect on this generation, but it is a burgeoning area of research.

Continue reading: Children and Cognitive Overload

In a small but startling preliminary new study, Texas researchers have found that after just three months, every one of a dozen children treated for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with the drug methylphenidate experienced a threefold increase in levels of chromosome abnormalities-occurrences associated with increased risks of cancer and other adverse health effects.

Continue reading: Drug Updates: ADHD Drug Methylphenidate Linked to Chromosomal Changes

The nonprofit group Public Citizen petitioned the FDA yesterday to remove Cylert – including all generic versions of the drug – citing an increased risk of serious liver problems and death from liver failure.

Continue reading: Drug Updates: ADHD Drug Cylert Discontinued

Children that are exposed to 8 and a half hours of TV, video games, computers and other media a day — often at once — may be losing the ability to concentrate.

Continue reading: Children Today: Multi-tasking or Multi-distracted?

An estimated 8 million adult Americans struggle with the inattention disorders like attention deficit disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, according to researchers from Harvard Medical School. But, they say, only 20 percent realize it.

Continue reading: Multitasking, ADD and the Workplace

Arif Najib, MD, with the University of Tübingen Medical Center in Tübingen, Germany used MRI scans to view brain changes of women after ending a romantic relationship. Najib’s findings indicate that grief produces considerable changes in the MRIs. His study appears in the latest issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry.

Najib thinks that depression may cause the brain to malfunction – especially the areas of normal circuitry for handling sadness, separation, and grief.

Continue reading: Grief Changes Brain Chemistry In Women

The Washington Post reports today that health plans that limit the cost of ADHD drugs has been increasing. In an effort to save money, many health plans encourage physicians and parents to select drugs that are ‘preferred’ by the health plan.

Continue reading: The Cost of ADHD Drugs Limits Use