Towards an understanding of unique and shared pathways in the psychopathophysiology of AD/HD

Most attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) research has compared cases with unaffected controls. This has led to many associations, but uncertainties about their specificity to ADHD in contrast with other disorders. We present a selective review of research, comparing ADHD with other disorders in neuropsychological, neurobiological and genetic correlates. So far, a specific pathophysiologicalpathway has not been identified. ADHD is probably not specifically associated with executive function deficits. It is possible, but not yet established, that ADHD symptoms may be more specifically associated with motivational abnormalities, motor organization and time perception. Recent findings indicating common genetic liabilities of ADHD and other conditions raise questions about diagnostic boundaries. In future research, the delineation of the pathophysiological mechanisms of ADHD needs to match cognitive, imaging and genetic techniques to the challenge of defining more homogenous clinical groups; multi-site collaborative projects are needed. © Blackwell Publishing Ltd

Potential Impact of ADHD With Stimulant Medication Label on Teacher Expectations

Objective: The present study investigated how teachers rated children’s Behavior, IQ, and Personality contingent on the presence or absence of an Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) label. Method: Teachers from K-12 read a hypothetical description of either a male or female child with no label, an ADHD label, or an ADHD with stimulant treatment label. Teachers responded to 30, 7-point Likert rating scales anchored with descriptors related to Behavior, IQ, and Personality. Results: Teachers rated the child with an ADHD label and ADHD with stimulant treatment label significantly less favorably than the child with no label. Results partially supported that teachers rated the child with an ADHD label significantly less favorably than the child with an ADHD with stimulant treatment label. Conclusion: Teachers rated the children with ADHD and ADHD with stimulant treatment label less favorably than the child with no label. Implications for educators and future research are discussed