TeachableMedicalNews article 09162020
Teachable moment in classrooms:
- nervous system chapter – Na channel opening during nerve impulse
- nervous system chapter – neurotransmitters pass excitation from one neuron to another
- brain chapter – cranial nerves and their functions
The news item: Recently a news article described a medical device to treat ADHD in children:
FDA signs off on first medical device for treating ADHD in children
As diagnosis rates of ADHD among children skyrocket, a new medical device for the treatment of ADHD could soon hit the market.
The article states that the device called Monarch eTNS is placed on the forehead to send electrical impulses to the brain through the trigeminal nerve.
So, Why Do I Care?? Over 7 million children and 8 million adults have ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). ADHD can severely disrupt learning, school activities, social interactions, and job performance, among others. While there are existing treatment options for people with ADHD, any new treatment with fewer side effects is welcome news.
Plain English, Please!!! First, let’s talk about ADHD. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a disorder of the nervous system. Normally, small group of neurons in the brain actively keep behaviors like attention span, interactions with others, and executive function going. When those groups of neurons have a lower