What does the locus coeruleus control?
The locus coeruleus (LC), a small brainstem nucleus, is the primary source of the neuromodulator norepinephrine (NE) in the brain. The LC receives input from widespread brain regions, and projects throughout the forebrain, brainstem, cerebellum, and spinal cord.
Is ADHD a deficiency in norepinephrine?
ADHD was the first disorder found to be the result of a deficiency of a specific neurotransmitter — in this case, norepinephrine — and the first disorder found to respond to medications to correct this underlying deficiency. Like all neurotransmitters, norepinephrine is synthesized within the brain.
How does norepinephrine cause ADHD?
Norepinephrine and ADHD Norepinephrine and dopamine, another neurotransmitter, help people pay attention and focus in the course of their daily activities. Low levels of these chemicals in the brain may make it harder to focus, causing symptoms of ADHD.
What does damage to the locus coeruleus do?
Correspondingly, we have shown that locus coeruleus lesion leads to disorganization of tight junctions in cerebral endothelial cells (Kalinin et al., 2006a). Locus coeruleus damage could therefore increase infiltration of activated lymphocytes and exacerbation of disease.
Which neurotransmitters play a critical role in ADHD?
Dopamine and norepinephrine are two neurotransmitters that may play a role in ADHD.
What is locus coeruleus in psychology?
The Locus Coeruleus is a section of the brain located in the pons which is part of the brainstem. The locus coeruleus produces noradrenaline (also known as norepinphrine) which is a hormone and neurotransmitter that is important for alertness and concentration.
Is ADD ADHD a chemical imbalance?
People can be born with chemical imbalances or they can have adequately functioning neurotransmitters. Environmental toxins have been linked to ADHD in children. Parents may have their home tested for lead, for example, to prevent lead poisoning which increases the risk of ADHD.
Is ADHD a lack of dopamine and norepinephrine?
When there are more transporters in one area of the brain, they do this too quickly, which means that dopamine has less time to exert its effects. Reduced levels of the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine may also contribute to the development of ADHD.
What is the locus coeruleus noradrenergic system?
The locus coeruleus noradrenergic system (LC-NE) comprises a widespread projection network throughout the central nervous system capable of modulating a diverse range of behaviors including arousal, learning, pain modulation, and stress-induced negative affective states ( Berridge and Waterhouse, 2003; Sara, 2009 ).
What is the role of the noradrenergic system in ADHD?
However, a case has been made for the involvement of the noradrenergic system, which modulates cognitive processes, such as arousal, working memory, and response inhibition, all of which are typically affected in ADHD. Furthermore, the norepinephrine transporter (NET) is an important target for frequently prescribed medication in ADHD.
How do neuromodulatory projections from the locus coeruleus affect activity patterns?
Ascending neuromodulatory projections from the locus coeruleus (LC) affect cortical neural networks via the release of norepinephrine (NE). However, the exact nature of these neuromodulatory effects on neural activity patterns in vivo is not well understood.
What is the role of the norepinephrine transporter in ADHD?
Furthermore, the norepinephrine transporter (NET) is an important target for frequently prescribed medication in ADHD. Therefore, the NET is suggested to play a critical role in ADHD. OBJECTIVE