The American Brain Coalition Hosts the
Third Congressional Neuroscience Caucus Briefing
On November 10, 2011, the American Brain Coalition hosted a Congressional Neuroscience
Caucus Briefing entitled “The Growing Brain: From Birth to Adolescence What Makes it Work
Right and What Can Go Wrong.” The Capitol Hill event was sponsored by the American Academy
of Neurology and the Society for Neuroscience.
Dr. Damien A. Fair, Assistant Professor, Oregon Health & Science University Department of
Behavioral Neuroscience, led off the briefing with a discussion about new neuroimaging tools that
are providing non-invasive ways to examine the function and structure in the brain. He also
discussed new computational tools such as ‘Graph Theory’ that are providing scientists with new
considerations concerning how the brain is organized. Dr. Fair explained that these tools are
informing new principles of brain development, and neuroscientists are using them as clinical
tools in children with developmental neuropsychiatric disorders (e.g. ADHD). Dr. Fair said that
one in six children now have a developmental disability such as autism, learning disorders, or
ADHD. This number is on the rise because there is increased sensitivity and better clinical
assessments – changes in the definitions and diagnosis of mental health and mental illness.
Some children are being diagnosed with one disorder now that would previously have been
classified as another disorder. In addition, the true frequency of the disorders may, in fact, be
rising. Dr. Fair stated that using an integrated approach that includes new imaging
methodologies, concepts from the study of complex systems, and multi-disciplinary expertise is
giving us a richer understanding of typical and atypical brain development. It is also providing
new avenues of exploration for improvements in clinical care for several developmental
neuropsychiatric disorders.
Dr. Martha Bridge Denckla, Professor, Neurology, Pediatrics and Psychiatry, Director,
Developmental Cognitive Neurology & Learning Disabilities Research Center at the Johns
Hopkins School of Medicine was the second speaker. Dr. Denckla opened by saying that ADHD
treatment outcomes remain poor despite the short term benefits of stimulant medications. She
stated that a barrier to progress is that ADHD rating scales are subjective, ordinal not
quantitative, and capture a heterogeneous group of children. Another barrier is that quantitative
neurobiological measures are difficult to anchor in DSM-IV’s complex, ambiguously described
behavior. Dr. Denckla talked about the scientific opportunities including the examination of basic
motor control that may be a window into ADHD neurobiology. ADHD is associated not only with
impaired “conscious” selection of motor responses, but also with impairments in “unconscious”
selection of motor responses. Dr. Denckla discussed mirror overflow and how it is increased in
ADHD hand execution. She also discussed how the motor cortex is different in ADHD children,
and how these findings of impaired motor cortex inhibition in ADHD offers potential for
quantitative evaluation of children.
The speakers’ presentations were followed with a very engaging question and answer session
from the congressional staff and advocates that were present.
The Congressional Neuroscience Caucus was established last year by co-chairs Reps. Cathy
McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) to promote a better understanding of
how the brain develops, functions, and ages. The Caucus also seeks to raise awareness about
the millions of Americans afflicted with neurological disorders or mental illnesses.
For Congressional Offices: To join the Congressional Neuroscience Caucus, please contact
Michael Harold with Congressman Blumenauer at 5-4811 or Kimberly Betz with Congresswoman
McMorris Rodgers at 5-2006. For more information about the American Brain Coalition, please
contact Executive Director Katie Sale (ksale@americanbraincoalition.org) or visit
http://www.americanbraincoalition.org.