ADHD is a mental disorder that affects individual's behavior and impacts impulse/attention span. ADHD is very common but the cause or root of the problem is not really clear.
Seventy percent of the disorder is due to genetics but thirty percent is not accounted for. Studies have shown, even though lead in fuel and paint have been regulated Americans still come in contact with it. There still are small amounts found in other things like toys, imported candy and soil. Lead is a neurotoxin that may trigger ADHD, according to psycological scientist Joel Nigg (Oregon Health and Science University). Most children with ADHD had higher levels of lead in their blood than children without it. It showed a link between blood lead and hyperactivity/impulsivity systems. The study was independent from maternal smoking during pregnancy, race, family income, or IQ.
Niggs says "lead attaches to sites in the brain's striatum and frontal cortex, where it acts on the genes in these regions- causing them to turn on or remain inactive. Gene activity shapes the development and activity of these brain regions. By disrupting brain activity, the toxins in turn alters psycological processes supported by these neurons, notobly cognitive control. Finally, diminished cognitive control contributes to hyperactivity and lack of vigilance."
This is interesting how they linked lead to ADHD. Also, how they did find that the children did have higher levels of lead in their blood than children who do not have ADHD
ReplyDeleteI find this to be a very interesting article, especially due to the the fact that lead truly does have a psychological effect on people. In fact, my mom was one of many teachers who were present when a handful of autistic children started lashing out and acting irate due to eating paint chips off the walls. Once these children had enough lead in their systems, as stated above, they went "out of control" and attacked the teachers as well as each other. I find it interesting that lead can have that much of a psychological effect on a human beings brain, changing their actions in a blink of an eye, making more sense to how the lead is linked to ADHD.
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