Science Finds the ADHD Cure

An excerpt from the Journal of Modern Brain Damage

INTRODUCTION

Although counseling is considered suitable for many adolescent behavior problems, science has not demonstrated this to be true for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (Hinshaw, 1984). Inadequate results of psychotherapies have necessitated a search for alternative treatments. Harlow’s seminal study found that chimpanzees overwhelmingly exhibited ADHD symptoms (DSM-IV, 1994; see opposite page). Clinical studies of primate responses to laboratory stimuli can therefore offer insight into possible treatments.

METHODOLOGY

Clinical trials randomly selected 300 chimpanzees, all of which displayed typical ADHD behaviors. To determine base response level for each primate, subjects were strapped into an upright position and shown a 24-minute segment of Three’s Company ("Jack Gets a Workout"). Individual responses were registered and measured in accordance to the scale Inappropriate Clinical Trial Behavior (ICTB):

• Lateral eye movement
• Facial tics, grunts
• Inability to increase television volume
• Visible dislike of clinical researcher
• Lifts buttocks off seat
• Attempts to remove or damage rawhide leather belting

Individual ICTB scores were calculated to reveal a .475 group average–approximately 1,932 inappropriate acts per chimp, per episode. Subjects were then randomly divided into three groups of 20: Groups A, B, and C. Each grouping was tested for responses to one of three experimental treatments:

Group A: After the viewing, primates in this group received a swift blow to the left brow with a concrete block (10 lb, 93 cubic centimeters). Subjects were immediately returned to the main facility and measured during a second screening ("Janet and the Englishman").

Group B: Same as Group A, but the blow to the left brow was preceded by dropping a 2" x 4" wooden dowel from a set distance of 3.3 meters.

Group C: Primate received blows to both sides of the head, is lectured on anger management, and rendered senseless through repeated strikes to the base of the cranium.

ANALYSIS

Mean ICTB counts for each group were calculated. Subjects in Group A displayed on average 1,652 Inappropriate Behaviors per segment for an index of .397, or 349 fewer inappropriate acts from the initial finding. It should be noted that while this represents a marked improvement over the base level .475, it is unacceptable for the National Standardized Monkey Norm.

Subjects in Group B fared better, with an average count of .317, representing 588 fewer inappropriate acts. Improvements with this group were visible even before secondary measurements were calculated: lateral head jerks markedly declined, as did general body movements and aggression toward research assistant. Chimps in this group were said to be "slower" and were considered "more amenable to instructions."

Group C surpassed the other two groups on all counts. Inappropriate behaviors dropped to an unprecedented low for an index of .001. Chimps in this group were said to be "unconscious," while also "extremely manageable."

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The preceding suggests promising possibilities for ADHD treatment. Few side effects were reported in the two-hour span in which this study was conducted. While subjects experienced a slight appetite reduction, abdominal pain and bleeding rarely occurred. There were no reported shoulder injuries.

While the implications of these results extend only to short-term benefits, there is no evidence that this study has no benefit over the longer term. On the contrary, Loney (1981) found that similar treatment was associated with less drunk driving, less police contact, and better table manners.

--by Carrie McLaren