title: Hemispheric processing and methylphenidate effects in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.
abstract: To advance our understanding of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and medication effects we draw upon the evidence for (1) a neurotransmitter imbalance between norepinephrine and dopamine in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and (2) an asymmetric neural control system that links the dopaminergic pathways to left hemispheric processing and links the noradrenergic pathways to right hemispheric processing. It appears that attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder may involve a bihemispheric dysfunction characterized by reduced dopaminergic and excessive noradrenergic functioning. In turn, favorable medication effects may be mediated by a restoration in neurotransmitter balance and by increased control over the allocation of attentional resources between hemispheres.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurology, Hospital For Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Malone
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Kershner
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Swanson
mesh_terms: D001288:Attention / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D004292:Dominance, Cerebral / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D004298:Dopamine / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D008774:Methylphenidate; D004298:Dopamine; D009638:Norepinephrine