Stimulant Medications Enhance Brain Development (Neuroprotection) in Children with ADHD

This short video discusses a very recent study showing that children with ADHD differ from typical children in brain development. But it also demonstrated that those who remained on stimulant medication had enhanced brain growth and did not differ from typical peers compared to those children with ADHD who had not taken stimulant medication. This is known as neuroprotection in the research literature. My earlier video on this topic discussed the findings from more than 30 studies and several reviews that concluded much the same thing – it seems that stimulant medications may enhance brain development in areas of the brain associated with ADHD that are disturbed, less developed, less functional, and less interconnected than in typical peers. This effect may not be seen in all children or adults but a sizable minority may find this effect to be the case.

Original journal article:

[FallingLeavesLove]

Please never stop making videos. I used to write papers about your research in grad school and it is so cool now to see you here talking about ADHD research and topics. I am now a practicing therapist and you are helping me stay on top of the current ADHD research. Something about it feels so full circle and I love it. Thank you

[Patricia-vdxh]

Thank you so much, Dr. Barkley. Your dedication to provide evidence-based information and your presentations are a gift to the world. Your work will improve the lives of many and their families. I am a grateful member of an ADHD family, a writer, and a licensed social worker. May your life be happy and well. ♥️

[therealavichads]

Are there any studies showing that stimulants also provide neuroprotection to adults who started taking medications later in life?

[md]

Prof. Barkley, you’re amazing. Thanks for your continued contribution on this topic even after you were retired ❤

One question: Do we know the mechanisms on why these underdeveloped parts of the brain develops with continuous usage of stimulants?

The stimulants either inhibit reuptake of dopamine, or increase the tonic dopamine levels. Why would this mechanism promote neuron cell development? Is this causing neuroplasticity in these areas because medication forces kids to start using these brain areas more frequently?

What would be your hypothesis?

And do you think this applies to adults who were later diagnosed with ADHD? Would they have similar benefits?

[abigailszilagyi]

This was such a great episode topic to hear about for me and my adhd ridden family, my mother has always lamented about how she was worried and guilt ridden about having her kids being on medication from such a young age. But she knew that if they weren’t on it they would’ve had no confidence academically, which for me was so true, I couldn’t get my self to learn how to read until I was on medication, and then it was off to the races with learning pace in all other subjects. While there was problems with other area for us from taking medication, such as appetite and mood/exhaustion, it was so much more important for our futures to be on medication.

[nickgrav]

Thank you so much for these videos Russell. They’ve been an amazing resource (in a sea of misinformation) in the last month since my diagnosis and medication. I’m not doing therapy right now but your videos feel like it sometimes 😊

[veeveri]

Already fascinating study from the title

[claralopez]

What do these studies show about how long stimulants need to be taken before the brain growth improves significantly? I know it would be off label to prescribe stimulants to older adults, but if people started in their 80s, could there possibly be neuroprotective benefits for them, too?

Dementia runs in my family. 6 of 8 of my father's siblings have been diagnosed and have declined to various degrees. They range in age between 60 to 95.

I was diagnosed with ADHD in my late 30s alongside my children. Now that i understand the actual symptoms, I see thatmy father and most if not all of his siblings have undiagnosed ADHD.

I wonder if there is a Doctor in the Chicagoland area who you would recommend to evaluate their cases and possibly treat them with ADHD stimulant meditations?

I am so thankful for your generosity in sharing your expertise with us here. I could never repay you for the value youve given me ❤

[HowndsOfDoom]

I've always wondered why people take adhd med breaks/holidays, I'm more inclined to believe normalised results are possible after several years of use, it's helped me hugely, a few side effects but it is in fact the best medication I've used throughout my life. Elvanse. Thanks Doc.

[rybear]

Thank you for the share. I love your content. My biggest issue with the stimulants is that it seems to affect my sons appetite... As in lack of appetite.

[abc]

Thank you very much, Doctor! Your work is significant!

[samvandervelden]

I wonder if the lack of dopamine and norepinephrine in certain brain regions in ADHD is what causes underdevelopment of these parts of the brain. And that the reason why these meds increase growth in those regions is because the cause of ADHD (lack of those neurotransmitters) is normalized.

What are your thoughts Russel Barkley?

[Alex-jslg]

To what degree do you think this factor is responsible for the 8% childhood -> 4% adulthood rates of ADHD? How much of the reduction is attributable to medication-bolstered brain development compared to, say, a natural lag in the development of executive functioning or a higher rate of undiagnosed ADHD in adults?

[pezz]

Anecdotally I do at least feel like I've noticed a compounding effect that my ADHD medications have had on me over the years, I feel like I am in much better control of my ADHD symptoms than I used to be. Now onto figuring out the ASD and depression for me lol

[mrchips.]

Hi doctor, do some updates about CDS.

[snperchannel]

Doctor Ryussell, What do you think about Milnacipran as possible medication for ADHD ? I read a study that it was effective (in japan), What is your opnion?

[basiabarbara]

Hello dr. Russell. I have very important question regarding stimulant meds. There are people with adhd that have been using stimulant drugs, such as methamphetamines, etc. I’m talking here about addiction. From what I know, these people shouldn’t be put on stimulant medications later in their lives. And I want to go even farther. What if one was traumatised by stimulant drugs abuse, and now is diagnosed with adhd. What would you suggest then?

[ograda]

I'm curious if this has to do with medications themselves, or the fact that they allow for people to pay attention in school and therefore be engaging their brain and therefore the connections?

In other words, would other stimulants like caffeine and nicotine have the same (or I should say similar) effect?

[Josiah_Vidzro]

Hey Russ. Do you know whether or not the same affects would apply to caffeine. In the way that it changes brain structures associated with adhd?

[AcademicOmnifarious]

Interesting. I get that comparing the groups in the study is probably the best we can do, but when it comes to studying children in particular, how can we be certain that the observed changes in the individual wouldn't have occurred anyway. They are still developing after all as default from being a child.