Basic Neural Transmission The Neuron The neuron consists

Basic Neural Transmission The Neuron • The neuron consists of these main structures: dendrites, cell body, axon, and the synapse. The synapse is a gap between the axon terminal and the dendrites of a neighbouring neuron (Kolb and Whishaw, 2008).

The Synapse • In order for the electrical signal or message, to be transmitted it must travel down the axon of the neuron and pass on that message to the dendrites of the next neuron and so forth. But the neurons do not touch. There is a gap between them called the synapse (Kolb and Whishaw, 2008).

Neurotransmitters • When the signal gets to the synapse it stimulates the release of an important material called a neurotransmitter. The neurotransmitter floods the synapse stimulating receptor cells on the other side to receive the signal. This allows the “message” to be carried from one neuron to another (Kolb and Whishaw, 2008).

Sum it Up • Stimulation of neural nets in different areas of the brain is how we sense and respond to our environment as well as create memories (Siegel, 2012). • Here is an animation to pull together how neurons interact in the brain to convey “messages”. http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=p 5 z. Fg. T 4 aof. A

The Difference for Those with ADHD • For individuals with ADHD there is too little neurotransmitter in the synapse to send a strong enough signal to respond appropriately. When this is the case in specific areas of the brain an individual will show symptoms as outlined in the DSM-IV, which can then lead to a diagnosis of ADHD (Aguiar, et al, 2012).

References • Siegel, D. J. (2012). Developing Mind: How Relationships and the Brain Interact to Shape Who We Are. Guilford Press. • Kolb, B. , & Whishaw, I. Q. (2008). Fundamentals of human neuropsychology. Worth Publishers. • Andréa Aguiar, Paul A. Eubig and Susan L. Schantz. 2012. Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Focused Overview for Children's Environmental Health Perspectives. Vol. 118, No. 12 pp. 1646 -1653.