[krono]

The specific set of symptoms and the diagnosis they would lead to according to the DSM, are in fact rooted in a set of interconnected structural neurological differences in the prefrontal cortex.

The ability to recognise when someone might be thirsty, doesn't mean dehydration no longer exists. They go together.

[flir]

> in a set of interconnected structural neurological differences in the prefrontal cortex.

Can you prove that? Because my understanding is that ADHD isn't diagnosable by imaging the brain. If there was a structural difference, presumably it would show up on scans? Or at least post-mortems?

[throwaway60707]

My brain exhibits significant differences on EEG that the neuro-doctor said are suggestive of ADHD or ASD.

AFAIK it is visible on fMRI, but doing so is incredibly expensive and taxing on the person - you'd need to keep them in the fMRI for very long time, repeatedly, and watch them doing different tasks.

But I've seen papers about this where they did that with some people. The brain simply doesn't fire up like a normal brain does. The structural difference itself might be too small (on cellular or even molecular level) to see with current resolution, but the effect is clearly visible - as well as that medication makes the brain behave more like normal brains, as opposed to normal brains on stimulants (which puts them into overdrive).

Quick search:

- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/315884

- https://bmcmedimaging.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12...

[flir]

Oh, that's interesting. Thank you.

[acchow]

ADHD brains operate differently, which is clearly visible on imaging. However, this is not sufficient for a diagnosis because you still need impairment in your life.