Dan L. Edmunds,M.A.,B.C.S.A.

On Thursday, October 17, an article in the Scranton Times stated that a study concluded that those with ADHD had a smaller brain size. There is one significant flaw- in this study the vast majority of those in the study manifesting brain atrophy were being treated with psychostimulant medication. A study by F. Xavier Castellanos (NIMH) that supported such an idea concluded in its comments the following: "Because almost all (93%), subjects with ADHD had been exposed to stimulants, we cannot be certain that our results are not drug related." Also it should be noted the following: Paul Leber, of the Food and Drug Administration has stated, "... as yet, no distinctive pathophysiology for [A.D.H.D.] as a disorder has been delineated." Gene R. Haislip of the Drug Enforcement Administration has stated, "We are also unaware that A.D.H.D. has been validated as a biologic/organic syndrome or disease." James M. Swanson, University of California acknowledged, "I would like to have an objective diagnosis for the disorder (A.D.H.D.). Right now psychiatric diagnosis is completely subjective." F. Xavier Castellanos (National Institute of Mental Health) wrote, "I agree that we have not yet met the burden of demonstrating the specific pathophysiology that we believe underlies this condition." William B. Carey, MD, of the University of Pennsylvania, responded, "There are no such articles constituting proof that A.D.H.D. is a disease or syndrome." Therefore, such a study only perpetuates ongoing fraud at our children's expense.