Newsgroups: bit.listserv.autism
Subject: Re: Attention Deficit Disorder Lists?

Date: Thu, 01 Aug 1996
From: Ron Hoggan
Originally written: Sat, 22 Jun 1996

I haven't heard of the cancer connection before, but I have read two studies that demonstrate cortical atrophy (brain damage) in adults in their mid twenties who underwent long-term treatment with stimulants for their attention deficits.
The first is:
Hechtman, L et. al. "Genetic and Neurobiological Aspects of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder: A Review" _Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience_ vol. 19, no 3, pages193 - 200, May, 1994

This study cites Nasrallah et. al. "Cortical Atrophy in Young Adults" _Psych Research_ 17:2241-43, 1986, as showing *ALL* of 24 subjects showed cortical atrophy. It then goes on to say that many of them had histories of substance abuse, and suggests that the substance abuse might be the cause of the problem. Now, if I found 24 dead ducks, and many of them had shotgun pellets in them...... but not all.... and I offered a possible explanation for their deaths as "gunshot wounds," I would be laughed at. Perhaps the fact that I don't have an M.D. after my name might make the difference, because the logic of such a suggestion is laughable.

The second is:
Semrud-Clikeman, et. al. "Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Morphometric Analysis of the Corpus Callosum" _J. AM. ACAD. CHILD ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY_ 33:6, pages 875 - 881, July/Aug, 1994.

In this study, cortical atrophy in young adults who have undergone long-term stimulant therapy is cited in 58% of the subjects. Whatever the cause, I would be very suspicious of stimulant therapy.

On the other hand, I would also be more inclined to accept the opioid theory, as it applies to attention deficits, because the causative factor might well be at the root of such cortical atrophy. We will probably never know, though, if we keep treating the symptoms by drugging children.

Ron Hoggan

I actually didn't intend to suggest that ritalin was the problem. I think that the opioids are at the root of the damage. It's just that the logic is so flawed. If all of one group of shows evidence of cortical atrophy, and only some have a history of substance abuse, then there is a real problem with asserting that the cortical atrophy came from the substance abuse.

Hechtman compared the subjects with 27 matched normals, which doesn't meet the standard that Jack is setting. I am inclined to agree with him there, as morphological abnormalities have been shown numerous times in attention deficit persons, at all stages of development. Still, the fact remains that these folks are publishing this stuff.

My problem with the logic was that *ALL* had cortical atrophy, but only some had histories of substance abuse. Yet they suggest that substance abuse is at the root of all the cortical atrophy. It is the logic, or lack thereof that I am attacking. I think that Candace may well have a good point, with respect to the pathways used by ritalin, and would welcome more information on that point. Even a reference would be very valuable to me. In fact, it fits very well with the theory I am supporting.

Best Wishes,

Ron