Asymmetric tonic neck reflex and symptoms of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder in children

Abstract

One of the particularly important postnatal developmental reflexes that diminish in later stages of development is asymmetric tonic neck reflex (ATNR), which belongs among the so-called primitive reflexes. According to current evidence, certain later developed functions during ontogenesis of the central nervous system tend to replace the primitive reflexes, and their persistence is related to certain specific neuropsychiatric or neurological disorders. According to current knowledge, there is no evidence to which extent persistence of these reflexes may play a role in attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). With respect to these findings, we have tested a hypothesis to which extent persisting primitive reflex ATNR in 60 children in the school age (8-11 years) will be related to symptoms of ADHD and compared the results with 30 children of the same age. Results of this study show that ADHD symptoms are closely linked to persisting ATNR, which indicates that ADHD symptoms may present a compensation of unfinished developmental stages related to diminishing ATNR.

Persisting primitive reflexes in medication-naïve girls with attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder

“…According to current findings and the best of our knowledge, there are few reported findings of persisting reflexes in dyslexia11,12 and preliminary findings suggesting that ADHD symptoms could be related to persistence of the primitive reflexes in later developmental stages than is usual 12,13. These studies suggest that further detailed research examining developmental conditions in ADHD is warranted and that such research might have significant consequences for understanding ADHD, dyslexia, and other neurodevelopmental disorders 11–13.…”

“…Disinhibitory processes related to disturbed motor functions are probably also linked to persisting primitive reflexes that were not sufficiently suppressed in later stages of development. According to some evidence, persisting primitive reflexes may occur in various neuropsychiatric syndromes such as schizophrenia or various forms of dementia5,6,20,23 and have also been observed in patients with dyslexia11,24 and in school-aged children with ADHD12,13,25,26 In our previous study on medicated ADHD children,13 we found that boys had higher levels of ADHD symptoms and that there was little statistically significant difference in persisting primitive ATNR between girls and boys. Moreover, studies that have focused on persistent ATNR in dyslexia11,24 have not reported differences between girls and boys.…”

“…These studies suggest that further detailed research examining developmental conditions in ADHD is warranted and that such research might have significant consequences for understanding ADHD, dyslexia, and other neurodevelopmental disorders 11–13. Most recent studies examining atypical development in ADHD have predominantly studied boys, while studies of girls are very rare.…”

Psychological Principles of Learning Language in Children with ADHD and Dyslexia

“…Serious problem in special education that play very important role in school environment of these children represent various forms of behavioral disorders that in typical forms mainly manifest as uncontrolled and involuntary speech and movements. In many cases these deficits are developmentally influenced and may be specifically linked to increased fatigue and decreased attention that may lead to manifestation of cognitive tiredness or exhaustion and various forms primary reflex behavior related to involuntary movements (Konicarova & Bob, 2013;McPhillips et al, 2000). In addition these children with ADHD and dyslexia are highly sensitive to various psychosocial stressors that make school environment highly specific with respect to relaxed atmosphere in the classroom.…”

Effectiveness Of Neuro-Developmental Therapy In Children With Communication Disability

“…A signal informing about a persistent primary reflex is an unsuitable and undesirable reaction of the nervous system, which affects further development, learning and behaviour. The basic symptoms of persistent primary reflexes include the following: beginning of verbal communication after 18 months of age, thumb sucking until 5 years of age or later, enuresis after 5 years of age, dyspraxia, coordination difficulties, impairment of visuomotor coordination, articulation difficulties, auditory and visual hypersensitivity and many others (Gogate & Hollich, 2016;González, Ciuffreda, Hernández, & Escalante, 2008;Konicarova & Bob, 2012;2013a;2013b;Melillo, 2016).…”