What Are The Causes Of Attention Deficit?
Attention Deficit is a limiting metabolic dysfunction of the Reticular Activating System, the center of consciousness that coordinates learning and memory, and which normally supplies the variety of appropriate neural connections necessary for smooth information processing and clear, non-stressful attention. This metabolic dysfunction first restricts the development of neural connections and the required neural density needed for efficient, multi-varied processing (i.e., perceptual processing equipment of the body, the “wiring hardware,” is in scant supply). Secondly, this “hardware” limitation subsequently leads to secondary imbalances of neurotransmitter production (i.e., the “programming switches” or “software” which turns the hardware “on” and “off,” such as dopamine and norepinephrine), and faulty neuro-buffering which produces further imbalances in right and left hemispheric processing.

How Does This “Hardware” Deprivation Affect Learning and Memory?
Memory and associative patterns (engrams) constantly require newly generated neural connections within the brain with increasing amounts of neurotransmitters and buffers to serve those connections (synapses). When neural building materials are lacking, demand for further connectivity cannot easily be fulfilled, interfering with the efficient processing of information, and frustrating the AD individual, making learning enormously difficult, if not impossible. In other words, neural “hardware” remains in limited production (there’s not enough of it), and the supply of new “roadways” or “wiring” cannot keep up with the demand (increasing stimulus or “traffic”) for new neural connections within the Central Nervous System (CNS). Thus, demands for new learning, memory, and the management of information processing cannot be satisfied.

What Are The Effects Of Not Having Enough “Hardware Connections”?
Insufficient “connections” result in existing neural pathways being repeatedly overworked and over stressed, often resulting in complete gridlock or shutdown so that nothing gets processed thereafter. This, most noticeably, generates frustration, bewilderment and behavioral problems in the Attention Deficited individual.

How Does This Limitation Affect An Individual’s Perceptual Abilities?
Although Attention Deficit starts in the brain, it really involves the entire sensorium (vision, smell, touch, hearing, etc.) as well as the inner world of cognition and emotion. When deprived of the required number of neural connections needed to process the “traffic” smoothly, competition between various stimulus results. Overly competitive stimulation from multiple external and internal sources (too much visual stimulation, too much sound stimulation, too many internal feelings and emotions, etc.) can cause undue frustration, irritation, aggression and anxiety. When the brain, or more specifically, the limited neural network or “wiring,” is overly taxed in this regard, it becomes unable to “tune in” or focus on some stimulation, while “tuning out,” or “turning down” (attenuating) other stimulation

This lack of ability to focus on some particular stimulus while attenuating others, creates undue “noise” in the perceptual systems within the brain. For the Attention Deficited individual, this perceptual “neural-noise” is so undifferentiated, so overly noxious and continuous that it appears to be competitively assaultive, crippling any attempt to concentrate on one stimulus while attenuating others. So intrusive and uncontrollable is this “noise” that feelings of helplessness and anxiety are often overwhelming, forcing an Attention Deficited individual to look for ways in which to survive the assaultive nature of their world.