The Science of ADHD
A Guide for Practitioners
2nd Edition
Published on 28. August 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
544 pages
978-1-118-94124-9 (ISBN)
Description
A comprehensive and evidence-based guide to understanding ADHD and its treatment
ADHD remains one of the most widely misunderstood neurodevelopmental disorders, with debates surrounding its diagnosis, causes, and treatment continuing to evolve. The Science of ADHD provides a clear, balanced, and up-to-date exploration of this complex condition. With an accessible narrative style, author Chris Chandler expertly navigates the latest research to present an objective look at ADHD's neuroscience, genetics, psychological theories, and treatment approaches.
The fully revised second edition reflects the latest advancements in the field, including updated diagnostic criteria and a nuanced discussion of ADHD as a neurodevelopmental disorder. New and expanded chapters address the impact of non-pharmacological treatments, ADHD's association with addiction, ongoing challenges in ADHD research, the broader implications of neurodiversity, and more. Throughout this edition, engaging discussions of genetics, neuroscience, and psychology enable readers to develop a deeper understanding of ADHD and its implications.
Empowering readers with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions, The Science of ADHD:
Discusses emerging research, treatment innovations, and ongoing questions in ADHD science
Balances academic depth with readability, making complex concepts approachable for non-specialists and professionals alike
Offers actionable insights for educators, clinicians, and parents to better support individuals with ADHD
Covers pharmacological, non-pharmacological, and emerging treatment options, alongside critiques of current approaches
Features real-life insights and experiences shared by individuals with ADHD and their family members
Includes a glossary and a well-organized layout to help readers navigate scientific terms and concepts effectively
Bridging the gap between cutting-edge science and everyday experience, The Science of ADHD, Second Edition, is ideal for undergraduate and postgraduate psychology and neuroscience courses focusing on developmental disorders or psychobiology. It is also a valuable reference for clinicians, educators, and policymakers seeking a research-backed understanding of ADHD to support individuals in diverse settings.
ADHD remains one of the most widely misunderstood neurodevelopmental disorders, with debates surrounding its diagnosis, causes, and treatment continuing to evolve. The Science of ADHD provides a clear, balanced, and up-to-date exploration of this complex condition. With an accessible narrative style, author Chris Chandler expertly navigates the latest research to present an objective look at ADHD's neuroscience, genetics, psychological theories, and treatment approaches.
The fully revised second edition reflects the latest advancements in the field, including updated diagnostic criteria and a nuanced discussion of ADHD as a neurodevelopmental disorder. New and expanded chapters address the impact of non-pharmacological treatments, ADHD's association with addiction, ongoing challenges in ADHD research, the broader implications of neurodiversity, and more. Throughout this edition, engaging discussions of genetics, neuroscience, and psychology enable readers to develop a deeper understanding of ADHD and its implications.
Empowering readers with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions, The Science of ADHD:
Discusses emerging research, treatment innovations, and ongoing questions in ADHD science
Balances academic depth with readability, making complex concepts approachable for non-specialists and professionals alike
Offers actionable insights for educators, clinicians, and parents to better support individuals with ADHD
Covers pharmacological, non-pharmacological, and emerging treatment options, alongside critiques of current approaches
Features real-life insights and experiences shared by individuals with ADHD and their family members
Includes a glossary and a well-organized layout to help readers navigate scientific terms and concepts effectively
Bridging the gap between cutting-edge science and everyday experience, The Science of ADHD, Second Edition, is ideal for undergraduate and postgraduate psychology and neuroscience courses focusing on developmental disorders or psychobiology. It is also a valuable reference for clinicians, educators, and policymakers seeking a research-backed understanding of ADHD to support individuals in diverse settings.
More details
Edition
2nd edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Hoboken
United Kingdom
Publishing group
John Wiley and Sons Ltd
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 154 mm
Width: 229 mm
Thickness: 35 mm
Weight
788 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-118-94124-9 (9781118941249)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Chris Chandler
The Science of ADHD
E-Book
08/2025
2nd Edition
Wiley-Blackwell
€33.99
Available for download
Chris Chandler
The Science of ADHD
E-Book
07/2025
2nd Edition
Wiley-Blackwell
€33.99
Available for download
Previous edition
Book
10/2010
Wiley
€25.90
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Person
CHRIS CHANDLER is Professor of Psychology at London Metropolitan University, where he teaches psychobiology and addiction at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. An expert in the neuropsychology of ADHD and addiction, Chandler's research explores the role of dopamine in behavior and the psychobiological aspects of addiction. He is also the author of Psychobiology and Addiction: A Biopsychosocial Perspective (co-authored with Anita Andrews) and numerous peer-reviewed articles.
Content
Preface to the Second Edition xv
Preface to the First Edition xvii
Acknowledgments xxi
1 What Is ADHD? 1
What Does ADHD Look Like and Who Has It? 2
ADHD - Two Faces of the Same Coin 3
The Negative Impact of ADHD 6
What Is ADHD Like? 6
Adult Male Personal Account A 11
Adult Female Personal Account 15
A Child's Personal Account (Diagnosed at the Age of 8 Years) 18
A Parent's View 19
Another Parent's View 22
A Mother with ADHD's Personal Account of Parenting a Daughter with ADHD 25
Are There Any Positive Aspects to Having ADHD? 28
ADHD: Science and Society 31
Science and Proof 32
Good Science and Drug Development 38
Summary 41
2 Diagnosis, Epidemiology, and Comorbidity 43
A Short History of ADHD 44
Formal Diagnosis 48
DSM Criteria 51
DSM vs. ICD 58
Is ADHD Real? 65
Adult ADHD 67
Is Adult ADHD Real? 69
Diagnosis and the Future Criteria 71
Assessment 71
Rating Scales 73
ADHD Rating Scales: Children 74
SNAP-IV, SKAMP, and SWAN 74
ADHD Rating Scale IV (ADHD RS IV) and ADHD RS 5 74
Conner's Rating Scales - Revised (CRS-R) 74
Vanderbilt ADHD Teacher and Parent Rating Scales (VADTRS and VANPRS) 75
ADHD Symptoms Rating Scale 75
Attention Deficit Disorder Evaluation Scale - Second Edition (addes 2) 75
ACTeRS - 2nd Edition 75
Brown Attention-Deficit Disorder Scales for Children and Adolescents (BADDS) 75
The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) 76
The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) 76
Parental Account of Childhood Symptoms (PACS) 76
Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale (WFIRS) 76
ADHD Rating Scales: Adults 76
Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS) (See Also Adult ADHD) 77
Conner's Adult ADHD Rating Scales (CAARS) 77
Brown Adult ADD Scale 77
The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) 77
Rating Scales: Summary 77
Epidemiology 78
The Cultural Context of Diagnosis 80
Sex Differences 81
Over- and Underdiagnosis 82
Prognosis 83
Comorbidity - Not Just ADHD 85
Autism and ADHD 87
Prevalence of ASD with and Without ADHD 88
Implications of ASD and ADHD 88
Summary 88
3 Causality and the Environmental Hypotheses of ADHD 91
What Causes ADHD? 91
Causality 92
Animal Models of ADHD 93
Genetic Models 96
Alpha-synuclein Lacking Mice 98
Physical Trauma/Environment 98
Anoxia/Hypoxia in Neonatal Rodents 99
X-radiation of Neonatal Rodents 99
Cerebellar Stunting Model of ADHD 99
Maternally Stressed Mice 99
Prenatal Ethanol Exposure 100
What Can Animal Models Tell Us About ADHD? 100
The Environment 100
The Environment in Utero: Pregnancy, Birth Complications, and Teratology 101
Pregnancy and Birth Complications 101
Teratology: Are Neurotoxins a Possible Cause? 102
Maternal Smoking 103
Maternal Alcohol Consumption 104
Low Birth Weight and ADHD 106
Trace Elements in ADHD 107
Food Additives, Allergies, and Responses 108
Fatty Acids in ADHD 109
Television and Computer Games 111
The Environment: Blame Culture, Agency, Free Will, Families, and Society 113
Summary 115
4 Neuropsychological Theories of ADHD 117
Executive Functions 117
Neuropsychological Tests and the Generation of Theories 118
Theory of Mind 122
Impulse Control: Impulsivity and Behavioral/Response Inhibition 125
Barkley's Neuropsychological Account - Behavioral Inhibition 127
Measures of Behavioral Inhibition and ADHD 129
Motivational Inhibition 138
Working Memory 138
Barkley's Updated Executive Functioning Model 143
Alerting, Orienting, and Executive Functioning - Separate Circuits in Adhd 144
The Supervisory Attentional System 146
Brown's Executive Functioning Model 147
Cognitive-Energetic Model 148
A Behavioral Neuroenergetics Theory of ADHD 149
Summary 151
5 The Genetics of ADHD 153
The Evidence for (and Against) ADHD as a Genetically Inherited Disorder 154
Behavioral Genetics 154
Twins 154
Evolutionary Explanations for ADHD and Its Continuation 158
Evolutionary Psychology, ADHD, and Specific Genes 162
Molecular Genetics 164
A Brief Lesson on Genetics 164
Genetic Variation 167
Polymorphisms 167
Variable Number Tandem Repeats 168
Genetic Markers 168
Epigenetics 168
Exploring Genes in ADHD 170
Dopamine Genes and ADHD 171
Dopamine Transporter Gene 171
DRD4 Gene 172
DRD1 Gene 173
DRD2 Gene 173
DRD3 Gene 173
DRD5 Gene 174
Other Non-DA or Non-DA Specific Related Genes 174
Catechol-O-Methyltransferase (COMT) Gene 174
SNAP25 Gene 175
TH (Tyrosine Hydroxylase), DOPA Decarboxylase, and DBH (Dopamine Beta-Hydroxylase) Genes 175
MAOA (Monoamine Oxidase A) Genes 176
BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor) 176
Noradrenergic Genes 176
Serotonergic Genes 177
Is There a Gene for ADHD? 177
Admixture in the Genetics of ADHD 180
Can Genes Explain the Sex Difference in ADHD (If There Is a Difference)? 181
The Endophenotype 183
Summary 185
6 The Neuroscience of ADHD 187
The Brain: A Brief Guide to Development and Neuroanatomy 187
Developmental Changes in the Brain 188
Regions of the Brain 190
The Cortex 191
The Limbic System 191
The Basal Ganglia 191
Cerebellum 194
A Brief Account of Imaging the Brain 194
The Brain in ADHD 196
Structural Changes 196
Gray and White Matter 196
The Cortex 197
The Frontal Lobes 198
The Parietal Lobe 198
Basal Ganglia 198
Cerebellum 199
Functional Significance 200
Functional Imaging of ADHD 200
Psychophysiological Studies 201
Connectivity in ADHD 202
The Fronto-striatal Circuits 203
Fronto-parietal Circuits 205
Corticocerebellar Circuits 205
Default Mode Network and Task-Positive Networks in ADHD 205
Summary 208
7 Psychostimulant Medication for ADHD: From Treatment to Theory (and Back Again) 211
A Brief Review of the Neuropharmacology 211
Electrical Communication 212
Synaptic Transmission 214
Pharmacotherapy in ADHD 218
The Pharmacology and Efficacy of Psychostimulants used in treating ADHD 221
Methylphenidate 222
Pharmacology 222
Amphetamine 227
Pharmacology 227
Clinical Effects of Amphetamine and Methylphenidate 229
The MTA Study 232
Other Studies and Neurocognitive Processes 237
Side Effects and Concerns with Amphetamine and Methylphenidate 237
Other Drugs that Increase Dopamine Levels 240
L-Dopa 240
Apomorphine 241
Bromocriptine 241
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors 242
Pemoline 243
Pharmacology 243
Clinical Effects 243
Side Effects 243
Nicotine 244
Pharmacology 244
Clinical Effects 244
Tolerance and Withdrawal 245
Placebo Effects in ADHD 246
Psychopharmacology: From Treatment to Theory 248
Hypo/Hyperfunctioning DA in ADHD 249
Grace's Tonic and Phasic Account of ADHD 250
A Dynamic Developmental Theory of ADHD 252
The Rate-dependent Hypothesis and the Effects of Psychostimulants 253
Extending the Theory to Norepinephrine 255
Summary 255
8 Non-stimulant Medications and Non-pharmacological Treatments 257
Non-stimulant Medications 257
Atomoxetine 258
Viloxazine 262
Modafinil 262
Clonidine and Guanfacine 264
Centanafadine: A Mixed Dopamine, Norepinephrine, and Serotonin-Based Drug 266
How Do These Drugs Fit into Theoretical Accounts of ADHD? 266
Non-pharmacological Treatments 268
Neurotherapeutics 268
Neurofeedback 268
Brain Stimulation 270
Behavioral Therapies 272
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) 273
Other Behavioral Therapies 276
Alternative Treatments 277
Summary 278
9 Addiction, Reward, and ADHD 279
Addiction 279
The Neuropsychopharmacology of Addiction 280
Addiction in ADHD 284
Are ADHD Symptoms Subtypes Linked to Any Specific Drugs? 286
Amphetamines, Methylphenidate, and Addiction 288
Methylphenidate Treatment and Addiction 290
Drugs, Cannabis, and Psychiatry 293
Psychedelics, Endocannabinoids, and CBD: A New Treatment Strand for ADHD? 294
Slow-Release Formulations and the Treatment of Cocaine and Amphetamine Addiction 295
Theories of ADHD Based on DA Reward Pathways 298
Methylphenidate and Long-term Neural Changes: Sensitization 298
Reward Deficiency in ADHD: Theory and Evidence 300
Reward Prediction Error 302
The Dopamine Transfer Deficit Hypothesis of ADHD 304
The Dual-Pathway Model of ADHD 305
Impulsivity in SUD and ADHD (Revisited) 308
Summary 309
10 The Past, Present, and Future Science of ADHD 311
Toward a Better Understanding and Treatment of ADHD 316
What Do the NICE Guidelines on ADHD Really State? 317
Glossary 321
References 337
Index 507
Preface to the First Edition xvii
Acknowledgments xxi
1 What Is ADHD? 1
What Does ADHD Look Like and Who Has It? 2
ADHD - Two Faces of the Same Coin 3
The Negative Impact of ADHD 6
What Is ADHD Like? 6
Adult Male Personal Account A 11
Adult Female Personal Account 15
A Child's Personal Account (Diagnosed at the Age of 8 Years) 18
A Parent's View 19
Another Parent's View 22
A Mother with ADHD's Personal Account of Parenting a Daughter with ADHD 25
Are There Any Positive Aspects to Having ADHD? 28
ADHD: Science and Society 31
Science and Proof 32
Good Science and Drug Development 38
Summary 41
2 Diagnosis, Epidemiology, and Comorbidity 43
A Short History of ADHD 44
Formal Diagnosis 48
DSM Criteria 51
DSM vs. ICD 58
Is ADHD Real? 65
Adult ADHD 67
Is Adult ADHD Real? 69
Diagnosis and the Future Criteria 71
Assessment 71
Rating Scales 73
ADHD Rating Scales: Children 74
SNAP-IV, SKAMP, and SWAN 74
ADHD Rating Scale IV (ADHD RS IV) and ADHD RS 5 74
Conner's Rating Scales - Revised (CRS-R) 74
Vanderbilt ADHD Teacher and Parent Rating Scales (VADTRS and VANPRS) 75
ADHD Symptoms Rating Scale 75
Attention Deficit Disorder Evaluation Scale - Second Edition (addes 2) 75
ACTeRS - 2nd Edition 75
Brown Attention-Deficit Disorder Scales for Children and Adolescents (BADDS) 75
The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) 76
The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) 76
Parental Account of Childhood Symptoms (PACS) 76
Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale (WFIRS) 76
ADHD Rating Scales: Adults 76
Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS) (See Also Adult ADHD) 77
Conner's Adult ADHD Rating Scales (CAARS) 77
Brown Adult ADD Scale 77
The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) 77
Rating Scales: Summary 77
Epidemiology 78
The Cultural Context of Diagnosis 80
Sex Differences 81
Over- and Underdiagnosis 82
Prognosis 83
Comorbidity - Not Just ADHD 85
Autism and ADHD 87
Prevalence of ASD with and Without ADHD 88
Implications of ASD and ADHD 88
Summary 88
3 Causality and the Environmental Hypotheses of ADHD 91
What Causes ADHD? 91
Causality 92
Animal Models of ADHD 93
Genetic Models 96
Alpha-synuclein Lacking Mice 98
Physical Trauma/Environment 98
Anoxia/Hypoxia in Neonatal Rodents 99
X-radiation of Neonatal Rodents 99
Cerebellar Stunting Model of ADHD 99
Maternally Stressed Mice 99
Prenatal Ethanol Exposure 100
What Can Animal Models Tell Us About ADHD? 100
The Environment 100
The Environment in Utero: Pregnancy, Birth Complications, and Teratology 101
Pregnancy and Birth Complications 101
Teratology: Are Neurotoxins a Possible Cause? 102
Maternal Smoking 103
Maternal Alcohol Consumption 104
Low Birth Weight and ADHD 106
Trace Elements in ADHD 107
Food Additives, Allergies, and Responses 108
Fatty Acids in ADHD 109
Television and Computer Games 111
The Environment: Blame Culture, Agency, Free Will, Families, and Society 113
Summary 115
4 Neuropsychological Theories of ADHD 117
Executive Functions 117
Neuropsychological Tests and the Generation of Theories 118
Theory of Mind 122
Impulse Control: Impulsivity and Behavioral/Response Inhibition 125
Barkley's Neuropsychological Account - Behavioral Inhibition 127
Measures of Behavioral Inhibition and ADHD 129
Motivational Inhibition 138
Working Memory 138
Barkley's Updated Executive Functioning Model 143
Alerting, Orienting, and Executive Functioning - Separate Circuits in Adhd 144
The Supervisory Attentional System 146
Brown's Executive Functioning Model 147
Cognitive-Energetic Model 148
A Behavioral Neuroenergetics Theory of ADHD 149
Summary 151
5 The Genetics of ADHD 153
The Evidence for (and Against) ADHD as a Genetically Inherited Disorder 154
Behavioral Genetics 154
Twins 154
Evolutionary Explanations for ADHD and Its Continuation 158
Evolutionary Psychology, ADHD, and Specific Genes 162
Molecular Genetics 164
A Brief Lesson on Genetics 164
Genetic Variation 167
Polymorphisms 167
Variable Number Tandem Repeats 168
Genetic Markers 168
Epigenetics 168
Exploring Genes in ADHD 170
Dopamine Genes and ADHD 171
Dopamine Transporter Gene 171
DRD4 Gene 172
DRD1 Gene 173
DRD2 Gene 173
DRD3 Gene 173
DRD5 Gene 174
Other Non-DA or Non-DA Specific Related Genes 174
Catechol-O-Methyltransferase (COMT) Gene 174
SNAP25 Gene 175
TH (Tyrosine Hydroxylase), DOPA Decarboxylase, and DBH (Dopamine Beta-Hydroxylase) Genes 175
MAOA (Monoamine Oxidase A) Genes 176
BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor) 176
Noradrenergic Genes 176
Serotonergic Genes 177
Is There a Gene for ADHD? 177
Admixture in the Genetics of ADHD 180
Can Genes Explain the Sex Difference in ADHD (If There Is a Difference)? 181
The Endophenotype 183
Summary 185
6 The Neuroscience of ADHD 187
The Brain: A Brief Guide to Development and Neuroanatomy 187
Developmental Changes in the Brain 188
Regions of the Brain 190
The Cortex 191
The Limbic System 191
The Basal Ganglia 191
Cerebellum 194
A Brief Account of Imaging the Brain 194
The Brain in ADHD 196
Structural Changes 196
Gray and White Matter 196
The Cortex 197
The Frontal Lobes 198
The Parietal Lobe 198
Basal Ganglia 198
Cerebellum 199
Functional Significance 200
Functional Imaging of ADHD 200
Psychophysiological Studies 201
Connectivity in ADHD 202
The Fronto-striatal Circuits 203
Fronto-parietal Circuits 205
Corticocerebellar Circuits 205
Default Mode Network and Task-Positive Networks in ADHD 205
Summary 208
7 Psychostimulant Medication for ADHD: From Treatment to Theory (and Back Again) 211
A Brief Review of the Neuropharmacology 211
Electrical Communication 212
Synaptic Transmission 214
Pharmacotherapy in ADHD 218
The Pharmacology and Efficacy of Psychostimulants used in treating ADHD 221
Methylphenidate 222
Pharmacology 222
Amphetamine 227
Pharmacology 227
Clinical Effects of Amphetamine and Methylphenidate 229
The MTA Study 232
Other Studies and Neurocognitive Processes 237
Side Effects and Concerns with Amphetamine and Methylphenidate 237
Other Drugs that Increase Dopamine Levels 240
L-Dopa 240
Apomorphine 241
Bromocriptine 241
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors 242
Pemoline 243
Pharmacology 243
Clinical Effects 243
Side Effects 243
Nicotine 244
Pharmacology 244
Clinical Effects 244
Tolerance and Withdrawal 245
Placebo Effects in ADHD 246
Psychopharmacology: From Treatment to Theory 248
Hypo/Hyperfunctioning DA in ADHD 249
Grace's Tonic and Phasic Account of ADHD 250
A Dynamic Developmental Theory of ADHD 252
The Rate-dependent Hypothesis and the Effects of Psychostimulants 253
Extending the Theory to Norepinephrine 255
Summary 255
8 Non-stimulant Medications and Non-pharmacological Treatments 257
Non-stimulant Medications 257
Atomoxetine 258
Viloxazine 262
Modafinil 262
Clonidine and Guanfacine 264
Centanafadine: A Mixed Dopamine, Norepinephrine, and Serotonin-Based Drug 266
How Do These Drugs Fit into Theoretical Accounts of ADHD? 266
Non-pharmacological Treatments 268
Neurotherapeutics 268
Neurofeedback 268
Brain Stimulation 270
Behavioral Therapies 272
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) 273
Other Behavioral Therapies 276
Alternative Treatments 277
Summary 278
9 Addiction, Reward, and ADHD 279
Addiction 279
The Neuropsychopharmacology of Addiction 280
Addiction in ADHD 284
Are ADHD Symptoms Subtypes Linked to Any Specific Drugs? 286
Amphetamines, Methylphenidate, and Addiction 288
Methylphenidate Treatment and Addiction 290
Drugs, Cannabis, and Psychiatry 293
Psychedelics, Endocannabinoids, and CBD: A New Treatment Strand for ADHD? 294
Slow-Release Formulations and the Treatment of Cocaine and Amphetamine Addiction 295
Theories of ADHD Based on DA Reward Pathways 298
Methylphenidate and Long-term Neural Changes: Sensitization 298
Reward Deficiency in ADHD: Theory and Evidence 300
Reward Prediction Error 302
The Dopamine Transfer Deficit Hypothesis of ADHD 304
The Dual-Pathway Model of ADHD 305
Impulsivity in SUD and ADHD (Revisited) 308
Summary 309
10 The Past, Present, and Future Science of ADHD 311
Toward a Better Understanding and Treatment of ADHD 316
What Do the NICE Guidelines on ADHD Really State? 317
Glossary 321
References 337
Index 507