CHILDREN who "grow out" of attention
deficit hyperactivity disorder have higher IQs than those who do not, a
new British study has shown.
AROUND one in 20 children are affected by ADHD, a condition
characterised by over-activity, impulsivity and a short attention span.
Although many children with ADHD continue to have difficulties as adults, others become free of the problem in adolescence.
Researchers at King's College London monitored the progress of a group
of 110 children with ADHD and carried out a range of
tests to assess
their brain activity and thinking skills.
Those children who grew
out of the disorder performed better in tests measuring attention,
levels of drowsiness and reaction time. They also had higher IQ scores than ADHD "persisters".
Dr Jonna Kuntsi said the study revealed the differences in brain
activity and cognitive performance between those who grow out of their
ADHD and those whose disorder continues into adulthood.
"These findings will guide the development of interventions for ADHD
persisters, such as cognitive training and neurofeedback, that directly
target those aspects of cognition and brain activity that are linked to
ADHD improving over time," Dr Kuntsi said.
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