Alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonists for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: Emerging concepts from new data

Recent developments in the field of neuroscience have illuminated the understanding of the neural circuits impaired in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and the mechanism of action of treatments used to treat this condition. There is an exciting confluence between emerging studies in basic neurobiology and the genetic, neuroimaging, and neuropsychological analyses of ADHD. The following provides a brief review of this field, explaining how compounds like guanfacine and the traditional stimulant medications can reduce the core symptoms of ADHD by optimizing the neurochemical environment in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Knowledge of these basic mechanisms may inform our medication choices and facilitate treatment of ADHD and related disorders.