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Mindfulness Intervention for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Theory and Action Mechanisms

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Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy

Abstract

Central and peripheral theory contiguous to associated working mechanisms of structured mindfulness intervention for the treatment of ADHD, are explored. Neurological/neuroanatomical alterations in brain structure and organization infer implications with attentional deficits. Conversely, amelioration in the hyperactivity/impulsivity domain is linked to optimization of pertinent neuroendocrine/neurohormonal regulatory mechanisms. Neurochemical alteration to adrenergic system metabolism and activity, associated with norepinephrine neurotransmission in mindfulness treatment of ADHD, is presently advocated. Less support is available for dopaminergic pathway clinical action. Connectedly, the scope to target sensory-visceral “bottom-up” signalling concomitant to enhanced cortical control in “top-down” neural circuitry has preliminary support. Rigorous and standardized studies remain necessary for this emerging translational field. For now, direct and indirect evidence presents mindfulness intervention as a polymorphic treatment pathway with the possibility for clinical action on neuroanatomical, neurochemical, neurohormonal, neurocognitive, and neuropsychological dimensions, within ADHD.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Psychiatry and Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Postbus 9010, Nijmegen, 6500GL, The Netherlands

    Poppy L. A. Schoenberg Ph.D.

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Correspondence to Poppy L. A. Schoenberg Ph.D. .

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  1. The UCSF Dep.Cent.,Langley Porter Psy.In, University of California, San Franc, San Francisco, California, USA

    Stuart J. Eisendrath

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Schoenberg, P.L.A. (2016). Mindfulness Intervention for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Theory and Action Mechanisms. In: Eisendrath, S. (eds) Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-29866-5_17

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-29866-5_17

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