Dopamine and ADHD

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What is dopamine?

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that works in the brain. It works as a neurotransmitter that will control the way how the brain processes a number of different types of functions. These include such common functions as one’s behavior and one’s ability to move in a voluntary fashion. It is also a type of chemical in the brain that may be linked to ADHD. Although studies have been rather inconclusive as of today it is believed that dopamine might have something to do with one’s ADHD.

Restrictions

Dopamine can be restricted in that the receptors in the brain may not be able to properly respond to the dopamine. They may not be able to collect the neurotransmitter in a normal fashion, thus creating a difficulty in trying to get the brain to work properly. In some cases it may even get to the point where the brain may end up trying to produce an excessive amount of dopamine just to make up for this problem.

In other cases a restriction can come from how the brain is not producing enough dopamine. This is especially vital for the anterior frontal cortex. This is the part of the brain that works to handle the ability of a person to focus on things and to pay attention to things on a regular basis.

Can medications really work?

There are some medications that can work to improve the production of dopamine in the brain. These include medications that feature levodopa, a product that is used to produce dopamine. However, these medications are used for experimental purposes only when it comes to treating ADHD. These drugs have been used primarily as a means of helping to treat Parkinson’s patients and not those with ADHD. Still, the potential link between ADHD and dopamine might prove to be a turning point that can encourage more research to work here.