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25 - Alternative and complementary treatments for ADHD

from Section 7 - Alternative biological treatments

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 April 2011

By
Lacramioara Spetie  and
L. Eugene Arnold
Edited by
Jan K. Buitelaar ,
Cornelis C. Kan  and
Philip Asherson
Jan K. Buitelaar
Affiliation:
Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen Medical Center
Cornelis C. Kan
Affiliation:
Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen Medical Centerr
Philip Asherson
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, London
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Summary

Alternative/complementary treatments have generally inadequate documentation even in children and even less research in adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Both macronutrients (amino acids, lipids, and carbohydrates) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) have been proposed as treatment for ADHD. Vitamins and minerals act as cofactors in important steps in neurotransmitter synthesis and energy metabolism. Three strategies for vitamin supplementation include: recommended daily allowance/recommended daily intake (RDA/RDI) multivitamin preparations, megavitamin multiple combinations, and mega-doses of specific vitamins. Certain Chinese traditional herbs (ginseng, ginkgo biloba) with antioxidant and vessel-relaxing properties can improve blood flow to the brain, theoretically improving brain functioning. Positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in patients with ADHD have noted lower blood flow/metabolism suggesting under arousal in these regions, and this under arousal is evident in EEG studies.
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ADHD in Adults
Characterization, Diagnosis, and Treatment
 , pp. 278 - 296
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2011

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