There isn’t one type of ADHD brain

Added: 2026-04-29

[00:00:00]What do the three types of ADHD look like from a neuroscience perspective?

[00:00:04]So, in a large brain imaging study of ADHD, researchers looked at how different brain regions are structurally connected and found that we have three distinct patterns. So, type one is the combined plus emotional type. So, this group showed widespread differences in brain regions that are involved in emotional regulation and decision-m.

[00:00:25]They also had the most intense overall symptoms. Type two is the hyperactive impulse type. So here the main differences showed up in brain circuits that control action, impulse control, and behavioral regulation. Basically all the brains breaking system. And type three is the inattentive type. This group showed differences in brain areas involved in sustaining attention and keeping focus over time, more like networks that help maintain mental effort. So this research suggests that there may be multiple brain pathways that lead to different ADHD profiles.

[00:01:00]ADHD isn't one pattern in the brain. It may be three distinct ones shaping attention, impulse control, and emotion differently.