Brain scans differentiate adults who have recovered from childhood ADHD and those whose difficulties linger.

At left, the brains of adults who had ADHD as children but no longer have it show synchronous activity between the posterior cingulate cortex (the larger red region) and the medial prefrontal cortex (smaller red region). At right, the brains of adults who continue to experience ADHD do not show this synchronous activity. Illustration: Jose-Luis Olivares/MIT (based on images courtesy of the researchers)

Inside the adult ADHD brain

Anne Trafton |

Brain scans differentiate adults who have recovered from childhood ADHD and those whose difficulties linger.

At left, the brains of adults who had ADHD as children but no longer have it show synchronous activity between the posterior cingulate cortex (the larger red region) and the medial prefrontal cortex (smaller red region). At right, the brains of adults who continue to experience ADHD do not show this synchronous activity. Illustration: Jose-Luis Olivares/MIT (based on images courtesy of the researchers)

In the first study to compare patterns of brain activity in adults who recovered from childhood ADHD and those who did not, McGovern Institute neuroscientists have discovered key differences in a brain communication network that is active when the brain is at wakeful rest and not focused on a particular task.

The findings offer evidence of a biological basis for adult ADHD and should help to validate the criteria used to diagnose the disorder, according to the researchers. Read more >>

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