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    Symptoms and Circuits

    Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

    October 22, 2025
    Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
    Symptom Category Symptom Description Associated Brain Regions
    Hyperactivity A state of moving constantly, including in situations when it is not appropriate; may include excessive fidgeting, tapping, or talking Motor cortex, striatum, thalamus
    Impulsivity Acting without thinking or having difficulty with self-control; may also include a desire for immediate rewards or the inability to delay gratification Orbitofrontal cortex, striatum, thalamus
    Inattention Difficulty staying on task, sustaining focus, and staying organized Striatum, thalamus
    Problem-solving difficulties Difficulty with the process of finding solutions to difficult or complex issues Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
    Selective attention difficulties Difficulty with the ability to select and focus on a specific stimulus or activity in the presence of unimportant or distracting stimuli Dorsal anterior cingulate cortex
    Sustained attention difficulties Difficulty with the ability to focus on an activity or stimulus over a long period of time Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex

       

    ADHD Core Symptoms: Regional Problems of PFC “Tuning”
    The symptoms of ADHD may occur because patients do not activate prefrontal cortical areas appropriately in response to cognitive tasks. Alterations within the orbital frontal cortex (OFC) are hypothesized to lead to problems with impulsivity or hyperactivity. Inadequate tuning of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) or the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) can respectively lead to sustained or selective attention symptoms.

    ADHD Comorbid Symptoms: Additional Problems in the PFC
    Inadequate tuning of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC) may be associated with comorbid symptoms often seen in patients with ADHD, such as symptoms of conduct disorder or oppositional defiant disorder, as well as mood instability and anxiety.


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    ADHD and Prefrontal Cortex “Tuning”

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