ADHD
When Attention Problems Are a Signal of Inflammation
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is usually described as a behavioral or neurochemical condition.
In our clinical model, ADHD symptoms are often a downstream expression of underlying biological stress, most commonly infection-driven inflammation and immune dysregulation affecting the brain.
In our clinical model, ADHD symptoms are often a downstream expression of underlying biological stress, most commonly infection-driven inflammation and immune dysregulation affecting the brain.
ADHD as a Standalone Condition and as Part of Autism
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ADHD may occur:
As a standalone diagnosis, or
Together with autism, where it is extremely common and often more severe
In children with autism, ADHD-like symptoms are frequently intensified by:
Neuroinflammation
Sleep disruption
Gastrointestinal pain or dysbiosis
Sensory overload and anxiety
In these cases, treating ADHD as a purely behavioral or neurotransmitter disorder often leads to limited or temporary results.
What ADHD Symptoms Really Reflect
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Families typically observe:
Poor focus and distractibility
Excessive movement or restlessness
Impulsive behavior and emotional reactivity
Difficulty with learning, transitions, and self-control
Excessive movement or restlessness
From a biological perspective, these behaviors often reflect an overstressed brain struggling to regulate itself, rather than a primary “attention deficit.”
The Role of Infection and Inflammation in ADHD
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What current research shows
Modern research increasingly supports an association between ADHD and infectious and immune-inflammatory factors, particularly when symptoms:
Appear suddenly
Worsen after illness
Fluctuate with immune stress, allergies, or inflammation
Infectious agents linked to ADHD risk or ADHD-like symptoms
Research has identified associations with:
Herpes viruses
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV), and Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Elevated antibodies in early life have been linked to increased ADHD risk later in childhood
Streptococcal infections
Known for triggering immune-mediated neuropsychiatric syndromes (PANS/PANDAS)
Other immune-activating infections
Influenza, measles, and Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease)
Importantly, this does not mean that one infection “causes” ADHD.
Rather, persistent or poorly regulated immune responses can disrupt brain function in vulnerable children.
How Inflammation Affects the ADHD Brain
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Key mechanisms include:
Autoimmune reactions
Antibodies triggered by infections may mistakenly target brain structures involved in attention and impulse control—particularly the basal ganglia
Glial cell activation
Microglia and astrocytes (immune cells of the brain) may remain chronically activated, releasing inflammatory cytokines that interfere with neurotransmission and synaptic function
Blood–brain barrier disruption
Inflammation can weaken the brain’s protective barrier, allowing peripheral immune signals to further amplify neuroinflammation
Mast cell involvement (emerging evidence)
Mast cells may act as early responders to infection or injury, increasing inflammation and barrier permeability in the brain.
Which Brain Areas Are Most Affected
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Inflammation and immune stress commonly impact:
Prefrontal cortex – executive function, planning, inhibition
Basal ganglia – impulse control, motor regulation, attention
Anterior cingulate cortex – attention allocation and emotional regulation
Difficulty with learning, transitions, and self-control
Cerebellum – timing, coordination, cognitive integration
Importantly, this does not mean that one infection “causes” ADHD.
Rather, persistent or poorly regulated immune responses can disrupt brain function in vulnerable children.
Is ADHD Genetic?
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Genes play a role in vulnerability, but ADHD is not a genetic disease in the classical sense
It is polygenic, involving many small genetic influences
Genes influence how a child responds to environmental and immune stressors
Immune activation and inflammation can trigger symptoms even when genetic risk is low
In other words, genes load the gun—biology pulls the trigger.
Our Treatment Philosophy: Treat the Cause First
On our website, we focus on triggers and promoters, not symptom suppression.
Core principle:
Traditional ADHD medications are considered only after underlying pathologies have been identified and treated.
Our Step-by-Step Clinical Approach
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Step 1 — Identify triggers and promoters
We carefully evaluate:
Step 3 — Address infection-driven or immune-mediated pathology (when indicated)
Infection history (including sudden symptom onset after illness)
When clinical patterns support it, we investigate and treat:
Immune and inflammatory patterns
Chronic or latent infections
Sleep quality
Gastrointestinal symptoms and pain
Allergic and sensory reactivity
Step 2 — Stabilize the biological foundation
Post-infectious immune activation
Autoimmune-like neuroinflammatory responses
This step is targeted and individualized, not routine or indiscriminate.
We prioritize:
Restoring sleep regulation
Reducing chronic inflammation
Addressing to discomfort and dysbiosis
Supporting immune balance
Allergic and sensory reactivity
Many children show significant improvement at this stage alone.
Step 4 — Support brain recovery and regulation
We focus on:
Reducing neuroinflammation
Restoring gut–brain communication
Supporting metabolic and micronutrient needs
Step 5 — Consider ADHD medications if still needed
Only after the above steps:
Medications may be introduced as supportive tools, not primary treatment
They often work better, at lower doses, with fewer side effects
In some cases, they become unnecessary
Why This Approach Matters
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When ADHD is driven or amplified by inflammation:
Behavioral therapy alone is often insufficient
Medication alone may partially mask symptoms
Untreated immune pathology continues to stress the brain
By addressing what is provoking the brain, not just how it behaves, we aim for more stable, lasting improvements.
What to Do Next
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If your child:
Developed ADHD symptoms after infections
Worsens during illness or immune stress
Has autism with severe hyperactivity or inattention
Struggles with sleep, GI issues, allergies, or sudden regressions
then ADHD may be a signal—not the root problem. In these cases, we:
Start with an evaluation focused on triggers and promoters.
Treat the underlying pathology first.
Use medications only when and if they are truly needed.