Development of Central Nervous System Functioning in AD/HD: a Longitudinal Study

注意缺陷/多动障碍（AD/HD）是一个影响5%儿童的衰弱问题。AD/HD造成严重的学习问题，并使儿童在以后的生活中容易吸毒和酗酒、婚姻破裂、受到刑事起诉和出现精神问题。目前，我们对这种疾病中行为变化的潜在原因知之甚少。该项目将阐明这种疾病从童年到成年期间发生的大脑功能的成熟异常。更好地了解这种疾病的正常发育路径将具有重大的临床益处，因为它将允许为这些儿童制定更优化的治疗计划。

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) is a debilitating problem affecting 5% of children. AD/HD causes substantial school problems and predisposes the child to drug and alcohol abuse, marital breakdown, criminal prosecution and psychiatric problems in later life. At present we know very little about the underlying causes of the behavioural changes seen in this disorder. This project will clarify the maturational abnormalities in brain function that occur from childhood through to adulthood in this disorder. Better understanding of the normal developmental paths of this disorder will have major clinical benefits as it will allow the development of more optimal treatment plans for these children.