ADHD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, affects an estimated 5.4 million children ages 4 to 17, according to the Centers for Disease Control statistics from 2007. Children with ADHD have trouble focusing and often act without thinking, causing problems in their social life, home life and academics. Caffeine, similar in structure to ingredients in some ADHD medications, has shown promise in treating the condition.
About Caffeine
Caffeine is a psychoactive stimulant chemical that acts on the central nervous system and can change perception, mood and behavior. It occurs naturally in coffee, tea and cocoa. According to Clyde Wilson, adjunct professor at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, caffeine has a structure similar to adenosine, a brain neurotransmitter that interferes with dopamine. A weak dopamine signal is a key component in ADHD. Caffeine binds to receptors in the brain and keeps adenosine from reducing the actions of dopamine.
Animal Studies
In 2011, the journal "Neuroscience Letters" published a study that investigated use of caffeine treatment. The study authors suggest that caffeine might be less aggressive than other psychostimulant drugs. The subjects of the study were postnatal rats, which the researchers, from the Federal University of Santa Catarina in Brazil, explained are a suitable genetic model since they display characteristics of ADHD that are present in humans. After 14 days of caffeine treatment, the rats showed significant improvement in attention deficit. These results support the idea that caffeine may be a useful treatment tool for children with ADHD.
In Children
In 2009, M. Roth Leon, from the National-Louis University in Evanston, Illinois, reviewed studies examining caffeine's effect on children with ADHD. He found caffeine was more effective than no treatment. It decreased impulsivity and aggression, as well as adults' perceptions of the child's symptoms. It was also more effective than a placebo in decreasing hyperactivity and increasing the child's planning and functioning capabilities. Amphetamines and methylphenidate, synthetic drugs used in the treatment of ADHD, were more effective in reducing ADHD symptoms, including adults' perceptions of the severity of symptoms. More research is needed to determine whether combining caffeine with synthetic ADHD medications could improve treatment methods.
Risks
Caffeine is a stimulant and can produce a more intense hyperactivity effect, especially in children who have actively growing neurological systems. According to PsychCentral, research on caffeine has had varying results. Some studies show it may improve memory tasks and concentration, but may impair short-term memory. Caffeine can cause anxiety and interfere with sleep. In studies that specifically look at caffeine in the treatment of ADHD, it was shown to be less effective than other stimulants.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Attention Deficit/Hyper Activity Disorder; November 2010
- KidsHealth: What is ADHD?; September 2008
- DrClydeWilson's Nutrition Blog: Caffeine Reduces Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD); November 2008
- PubMed.gov: Caffeine Improves Attention Deficit in Neonatal 6-OHDA Lesioned Rats, An Animal Model of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD); Caballero M, et. al.; March 2011
- American Psychological Association: A Sip Into Dangerous Territory; July 2001
- "Journal of Attention Disorders:" Effects of Caffeine on Cognitive, Psychomotor, and affective performance of Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder; M. Roth Leon; December 2009
