12/09/2026
🧠 Neuroscience Spotlight: GABA and ADHD
Your brain runs on a balance between two types of signals: excitatory (glutamate, which "revs up" neurons) and inhibitory (GABA, which "puts the brakes on"). Healthy brain function depends on keeping these two forces in balance, scientists call this E/I balance.
A review in Neuropharmacology explores growing evidence that this balance may be disrupted in ADHD:
🔹Lower GABA levels detected in the brain: Using a brain imaging technique called MRS (magnetic resonance spectroscopy), researchers have found reduced GABA concentrations in the cortex and striatum of individuals with ADHD.
🔹 Genetic clues:Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified several genes tied to GABA signaling that are linked to ADHD risk, suggesting a biological basis for these differences.
🔹 Connecting brain chemistry to behavior: In brain regions like the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and prefrontal cortex (PFC), areas responsible for attention and self-control, altered GABA levels have been associated with impulsivity and inattention during behavioral tasks.
Most current ADHD medications target dopamine and norepinephrine. Understanding GABA's role opens up potential new pathways for treatment, especially for the ~30% of patients who don't respond well to standard stimulant medications. Science is continuing to reveal that ADHD isn't just about "focus", it's about how excitatory and inhibitory signals interact across the brain. 🧬🔬
Reference: Ferranti, Luessen & Niswender (2024)