A fascinating neurological study published this week by the US National Institute of Mental Health holds out promise of resolving many controversies. The study looked at the way the right brain cortex, which helps control attention and planning, thickens during childhood. Scientists compared brain scans of hundreds of children diagnosed with ADHD with scans from a non-ADHD group. They found that, for non-ADHD children, the cortices reached maximum thickness at about 7½ years. For the ADHD group, that stage came three years later. But it did arrive eventually, and by puberty, most of the hyperactive kids had normal-looking brains.
The study also suggests that measures of student's ability to pay attention in the classroom are less important than basic math and English skills in determining future academic success.
So what's the big deal?
In 2302 we will soon be discussing the pros and cons of privatization--a topic we hit in 2301 when we covered federalism. Is this an unforeseen negative consequence since the profit motive causes the private sector to convince individuals of the need to purchase their products, be they iPods, cars, detergent or drugs?
Yes it can be argued that the private sector creates incentives for more people to get involved in finding cures for existing diseases, which makes it more likely that cures will be found, but doesn't it also make it more likely that the companies will try to convince more or us that we have physical conditions that we didn't know we had in order to expand demand for their products?
How about restless leg syndrome? Whats with that?
Is this the root of the increased costs of medical care?
