Brain activity in ADHD children explains lack of focus, study reveals

By Staff Writer

A new study reveals that children who have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have trouble switching off a part of their brain that prevents mind-wandering.

Researchers from the University of Nottingham performed brain scans on 18 children between the ages of 9 and 15 years old and presented them with activities with different point incentives. The team found that children who were presented with higher incentives for completing a task were less restless, impulsive and distracted than those who had little incentive.

The study, which appears in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, found that the brain activity of children who were presented with little incentive was indistinguishable from a non-ADHD child. Researchers also concluded that kids who were using stimulant medication - like Ritalin - were more likely to stay focused on a task, regardless of the incentives

Dr. Martin Batty, who co-authored the study, said that children with ADHD who do not find a task to be interesting cannot switch off their background brain activity, which leads to them becoming more easily distracted or bored.

Adolescents who have ADHD or other learning disabilities may benefit from wilderness therapy, which aims to provide help for teens who struggle with academics.