title: Attention deficit disorder and allergy: a neurochemical model of the relation between the illnesses.
abstract: Empirical studies suggest that allergies play an etiological role in a small subgroup of children who suffer from attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Research indicates that allergic reactions results in cholinergic hyperresponsiveness and beta-adrenergic hyporesponsiveness in the autonomic nervous system. Evidence is reviewed that similar imbalances in central nervous system cholinergic/adrenergic activity play a causal role in manic and depressive behaviors. It is hypothesized that allergic reactions engender cholinergic/adrenergic activity imbalances in the central nervous system, leading to poorly regulated arousal levels and ADHD behaviors in some children.
authors.affiliation: U Minnesota, Minneapolis.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Marshall
mesh_terms: D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology*; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011941:Receptors, Adrenergic / Q000502:physiology*; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic / Q000502:physiology*; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D011941:Receptors, Adrenergic; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic