ADHD May Affect Brains of Boys, Girls Differently
Study findings might explain different behaviors seen in genders, experts say
In boys with ADHD, the differences showed up in the primary motor cortex, a part of the brain responsible for controlling basic motor functions. In girls with ADHD, the differences appeared in the prefrontal regions of the brain, which control motivation and ability to regulate emotions, the study authors said.
It's possible that the differences seen relate to how the different sexes mature, suggested Dr. Glen Elliott, chief psychiatrist and medical director of Children's Health Council in Palo Alto, Calif.
"Boys and girls differ in a number of different ways, obviously including rates of maturation," Elliott said. He added that differences in the brains of males and females are present even during fetal development.
"Certainly some aspects of these findings might be reflective of previous studies done by other researchers showing that ADHD is associated with a delay in maturation, especially of frontal brain structure," Elliott said.
Moore explained that the differences seen in the brain functioning of people with ADHD, regardless of sex, is generally in the same larger region of the brain, the frontal lobe. The frontal lobe controls executive functioning, which involves "impulse control, decision-making, cognitive flexibility and planning," she said.
Elliott said: "Possibly more relevant are the findings that, as they move through their teens into adulthood, boys with ADHD tend to get into trouble with externalizing problems, such as conduct disorder and reckless behaviors, while girls with ADHD have, in general, a more internalizing presentation, with depression, anxiety, eating disorders and self-harm."
But none of this might make a difference in how the disorder is treated, Elliott said.
"The 'why' of these differences remains unclear and could well be associated with quite distant other parts of the brain that connect to the regions being studied," Elliott said. "Similarly, the findings do not really suggest unique treatment options."
The primary first-line treatment for ADHD is still medication, usually stimulants, Moore said.
"Most psychologists would also advocate for additional interventions, such as using rewards and consequences to shape behavior, learning better problem-solving skills and increasing effective communication between parents and the child," Moore added.
The study findings were published Oct. 22 in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
ADHD May Affect Brains of Boys, Girls Differently
Study findings might explain different behaviors seen in genders, experts say
In boys with ADHD, the differences showed up in the primary motor cortex, a part of the brain responsible for controlling basic motor functions. In girls with ADHD, the differences appeared in the prefrontal regions of the brain, which control motivation and ability to regulate emotions, the study authors said.
It's possible that the differences seen relate to how the different sexes mature, suggested Dr. Glen Elliott, chief psychiatrist and medical director of Children's Health Council in Palo Alto, Calif.
"Boys and girls differ in a number of different ways, obviously including rates of maturation," Elliott said. He added that differences in the brains of males and females are present even during fetal development.
"Certainly some aspects of these findings might be reflective of previous studies done by other researchers showing that ADHD is associated with a delay in maturation, especially of frontal brain structure," Elliott said.
Moore explained that the differences seen in the brain functioning of people with ADHD, regardless of sex, is generally in the same larger region of the brain, the frontal lobe. The frontal lobe controls executive functioning, which involves "impulse control, decision-making, cognitive flexibility and planning," she said.
Elliott said: "Possibly more relevant are the findings that, as they move through their teens into adulthood, boys with ADHD tend to get into trouble with externalizing problems, such as conduct disorder and reckless behaviors, while girls with ADHD have, in general, a more internalizing presentation, with depression, anxiety, eating disorders and self-harm."
But none of this might make a difference in how the disorder is treated, Elliott said.
"The 'why' of these differences remains unclear and could well be associated with quite distant other parts of the brain that connect to the regions being studied," Elliott said. "Similarly, the findings do not really suggest unique treatment options."
The primary first-line treatment for ADHD is still medication, usually stimulants, Moore said.
"Most psychologists would also advocate for additional interventions, such as using rewards and consequences to shape behavior, learning better problem-solving skills and increasing effective communication between parents and the child," Moore added.
The study findings were published Oct. 22 in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
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