Kids Zone
Neurotransmitter Imbalances
In the US and other countries there are a significant number of children suffering with mood, focus, attention and behavioral problems. Research indicates this to be a growing problem.

In 2005 it was estimated that 7% of school age children suffered from attention and hyperactivity problems (ADD/ADHD).¹  Many of the children also have learning disabilities or other mood and behavioral problems. These children are also more likely to suffer from low self-esteem, develop emotional and social problems, and underachieve in school.

These children are more likely to have increased risk, as they become adults, for substance abuse and developing low mood, anxiousness, and other psychiatric disorders.²

Many of the children who experience attention and hyperactivity issues may suffer from a neurotransmitter imbalance.

Neurotransmitter imbalances have been linked to lack of focus, poor concentration, hyperactivity, and irregular sleep patterns. Neurotransmitters like norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine, and phenylethylamine (PEA) play key roles in maintaining normal attentiveness and behavior. Norepinephrine is normally involved in vigilance and wakefulness; however, high levels of norepinephrine can reduce the rate of information processing and reduce attentiveness³. Epinephrine and norepinephrine enhance memory formation.

Patients with attention issues display decreased urinary epinephrine levels which may contribute to difficulties in information retrieval ^{4, 5, 6}. Dopamine is involved in the reward cascade, so low levels of dopamine may correlate with increased impulsivity and an increased reward threshold ⁷. PEA is an excitatory neurotransmitter that appears to be involved in the ability to focus and tends to be lower in patients struggling with attention issues ⁸.

Not only are optimal levels of these neurotransmitters necessary to maintain focus, but an imbalance in one neurotransmitter is likely to affect other neurotransmitters.

Neurotransmitter Testing
Proper testing and treatment using neurotransmitter testing can be the key to helping your child with their attention and behavioral issues.

Neurotransmitter testing allows us to assess whether over or under stimulation of the relevant neurotransmitters is contributing to a patient’s focus issues, behavioral problems or developmental delays.

As such, clinical outcomes can be improved when we use targeted amino acid therapy to address neurotransmitter imbalances.

For More Information:

1. ADHD Overview
2. What is ADHD
3. ADHD Signs and Symptoms
4. ADHD Questionnaire
5. Causes of ADHD
6. Diagnosing ADHD
7. Treating ADHD

Other Resources

• Kids Zone
• Kids Zone Neurotransmitter Imbalances
• Neurotransmitter Testing

Not Certain What To Do Next?
If you are uncertain as to which products or programs to use or which tests to take; or, if you would like additional help:

• Contact us with a brief question.
• Arrange a phone consultation with Dr. Forrest.
  Call ( 408) 354-4262