alireza moghadas
Abstract
Computed Tomography Scan (CT Scan) was the first neurological imaging equipment used on a large scale which allowed the assessment of structural lesions of the brain such as tumors and stroke. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) enabled the more precise investigation of smaller lesions of the brain as well ...
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Computed Tomography Scan (CT Scan) was the first neurological imaging equipment used on a large scale which allowed the assessment of structural lesions of the brain such as tumors and stroke. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) enabled the more precise investigation of smaller lesions of the brain as well as abnormalities of the white matter. In addition to neurostructural imaging by means of CT Scan and MRI which occurred in neurofunctional imaging, it enabled clinical scientists to gain a unique knowledge of the human brain by using Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT). The literature discussed specifically with regard to ADHD is the result of the latest studies and investigations achieved via modern neurological imaging techniques. By using the library method, the latest papers published in the PubMed website, American Journal of Psychiatry (AJP), British Journal of Psychiatry (BJP), and Neuroscience website in this area during a specific period of time from 2007 to 2014 were investigated. The findings of the investigation of damaged areas by means of imaging showed that none of the studies discussed a specific region or part of the brain as the main site of likely damages responsible for ADHD, neither did they make any definite emphasis or have consensus. Each study mentioned a different area or region of the brain as being responsible for such disorder. Despite the willingness and aim of all researchers involved in the areas of psychiatry and other neurological sciences, none of the functions or disorders of the brain has been attributed to a specific part or structure of the brain so far, because the brain functions as a very complex system consisting of billions of intertwined neurons and synaptic structures thus making it impossible to segregate and determine the duties of each part of the brain without investigating the other parts of the brain and their relationships with one another. That is why the general term of ‘minimal brain damage’ was used to explain the cerebral pathology of this disorder in the past, and it has not lost its application despite all the advancements made in this area.
Saeed Azami; Alireza Moqaddas; Faramarz Sohrabi
Volume 3, Issue 11 , March 2013
Abstract
The present research aims to study and compare the extent of effectiveness of computer-assisted cognitive remediation (CACR) and psycho-stimulant drugs in improvement of response inhibition and sustained attention function in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).This was an experimental, ...
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The present research aims to study and compare the extent of effectiveness of computer-assisted cognitive remediation (CACR) and psycho-stimulant drugs in improvement of response inhibition and sustained attention function in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).This was an experimental, prospective research with a pre-test and post-test design, and follow-up with two experiment groups. Using convenience sampling method, 23 children with ADHD were selected. They were matched in terms of severity of disorder, and were randomly assigned into two groups of psycho-stimulant drug therapy (n= 11) and CACR (n= 12). The research instruments included the Continues Performance Test (CPT), SNAP-IV questionnaire, the short form of WISC-R and Child Syndrome Inventory (CSI-4). The data were analyzed using multivariate ANOVA & repeated measures (RM-MANOVA), mixed-design analysis of variance, and follow-up tests. The CACR had a significant and enduring effect on the subjects’ performance in response inhibition and sustained attention. Although CACR, compared to drug therapy, was more effective in improvement of response inhibition and sustained attention; the differences were not statistically significant. Generally, both treatments were effective in improving response inhibition and sustained attention. Therefore, CACR can be used as an alternative technique to the psycho-stimulant drugs in treatment of ADHD.