Fruit-fly study could hold key to ADHD treatment
Date: 26/11/2009 / Category: Indoor play for disability schools and groups
Scientists have found evidence of a primitive emotion-like behaviour in the fruit fly, which may help in the understanding of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children.
According to the study, humans possess a lot of the same genes as fruit flies, including neurons that have been implicated in psychiatric disorders.
Tests were carried out on the fruit flies and it was found that those with an abnormally exaggerated hyperactivity response had a mutation in their dopamine receptors.
Tim Lebestky, leader of the study, said that the way the flies responded was "reminiscent of the way in which individuals with ADHD display hypersensitivity to environmental stimuli and are more easily aroused by such influences."
He added that the results "suggested that dopamine actively inhibits the hyperactivity response."
Website familyplayandlearn.com says that ADHD children change play activities frequently and have difficulty staying still, waiting patiently for their turn and maintaining attention.
Indoor play centres provide a safe and interesting environment for kids play with a number of different areas and activities for children to choose from.
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