ADHD news

CNN:

Brain scans of children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder show abnormalities in the fiber pathways along which brain signals pass, scientists said Monday. The finding indicates the disorder may be more than just a chemical imbalance, they added.

Very interesting stuff. This bit here seems to be good news:

In another study, Ashtari found the brain irregularities diminished in children who had been medicated with stimulant drugs for an average of 2 1/2 years. "The findings ... indicate that the therapeutic effect of stimulants may involve a brain normalization process," said co-researcher Sanjiv Kumra, a psychiatrist at Zucker Hillside Hospital in Glen Oaks, New York.

I remain somewhat skeptical of both current diagnosis and treatment of ADHD. Not because I don't believe phychological disorders are real diseases, but I am leery of our ability to understand the minds of children and concerned that we no little about the long term effects of such drugs. Many people do legitimately need drugs to live a complete life. Many ADHD children may also need drugs to achieve and be happy. On the other hand though, it is not completely a fable that madness and greatness are two sides of the same coin. I think that as much as possible, people should try to avoid mental medication. Being like everyone else can be a comfort, but it might prevent you from being unique. This of course does not apply to suicidal or severely handicapped people. Further, I think that people should make their own choices in such matter (or the choices for their children) and it is inappropriate to judge someone as we can never know what it is like on the inside. On the other hand, I am cautiously interested in the potential for mental 'performance enhancing drugs' not to say that I don't have the same concerns with them as I do with the more tradition medications, I certainly don't think we know enough yet. But long term, the potential for this and genenetic engineering is intriguing.