The neurobehavioral disorder known as attention deficit disorder (ADD) has a variety of symptoms, such as impulsiveness, anxiety, inattention and hyperactivity.

Lately, there has been a rise in people diagnosed with ADD. This is probably due to widespread communication and more knowledge about the disorder, leading to its increased popularity.

A person may find themselves having trouble paying attention and claim they have ADD, which isn’t always the case, but just goes to show how popular the disorder has become. It is especially popular among todays children and teens, since many of them are being diagnosed with it.

Thus far, ADD hasn’t been well understood and has even been claimed by many critics to not be a real disorder, making it instead an excuse for poor conduct. Also, there is no black and white diagnosis for ADD like there is for things such as cancer and infectious diseases.

More information has been found on the biological origin of ADD recently in a study on mice, led by Michael Reber of the University of Strasbourg. This study has steered researchers to believe that the superior colliculus is the biological origin of ADD.

The study involved introducing a group of mice to a genetic mutation that doubled connections between the retina and superior colliculus. This created visual hyper stimulation and also caused a buildup of neurotransmitter noradrenaline (fight or flight response). The mice displayed all of the traditional symptoms of ADD.

This study is different from other studies, whose primary focus had been dopamine synthesis and transmission. The mice, in the study led by Michael Reber, did not have any deficiencies in dopamine productions or pathways.

Traditionally, part of the treatment for ADD includes medication. With research in the role of noradrenaline continuing, new medications for the disorder are expected to arise.

Read more at http://www.iflscience.com/