Mitochondria and ADHD: Understanding the Link with Mild Impacts

ADHD and the Cells’ “Energy Powerhouses”: A Closer Look

First, let’s grasp a fundamental point. Our bodies are made of millions of cells, and within each one, there’s a tiny yet incredibly important structure called a mitochondrion. Think of mitochondria as the “energy powerhouses” of our bodies. They take the food we eat and transform it into fuel, a substance called ATP, which gives us the energy for everything: thinking, running, and even breathing.

ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), as we know, is a different way the brain functions. And this study, led by Ellis and his team , shows us that this difference can extend beyond the brain, reaching these “energy powerhouses” in our cells. What they noticed is that, even before any head impact, people with ADHD already had higher levels of certain substances crucial for energy production, such as citrate, isocitrate, malate, and oxaloacetate. It’s as if their “powerhouses” were operating at a more intense, slightly more accelerated pace, even when the body was at rest. This could be the body’s way of trying to compensate for something, or perhaps the brain cells of someone with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder simply require more energy to function.

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Mild Impacts and the “Powerhouses'” Reaction

To investigate this, researchers invited 50 soccer players—25 with ADHD and 25 without—to participate in an experiment. The idea was simple: see how these “energy powerhouses” would react after 10 controlled soccer headers. It’s important to note that these weren’t headers causing concussions, but rather those smaller impacts common in everyday sports.

Scientists collected blood samples from participants before the headers, 2 hours after, and 24 hours after, to measure the levels of these energy substances. What they discovered was that, in both the ADHD and non-ADHD groups, the “powerhouses” felt the impact. Many of those important energy substances, like citrate and isocitrate, significantly decreased after the headers. This suggests that even mild impacts can cause a kind of “energy crisis” in the cells.

The study’s big takeaway came when comparing the two groups. In individuals with ADHD, the decrease in these substances (citrate and isocitrate) was much more pronounced. It’s as if the “powerhouse” of someone with ADHD, which was already accelerated at the start, experienced a stronger “blackout” after the stress of the impacts. To give you an idea, the decrease in citrate was over 30 µg/mL in the ADHD group 2 hours after headers, and almost 70 µg/mL after 24 hours, while the decrease in the non-ADHD group was smaller. This difference in the intensity of the metabolic response is a significant finding.

Conversely, some other substances, like pyruvate and alpha-ketoglutarate, which are also crucial in the energy process, increased after headers in both groups. However, the increase in alpha-ketoglutarate was more notable in the non-ADHD group. This might mean that the body of someone without ADHD is better able to activate recovery and protective mechanisms after an impact. Alpha-ketoglutarate, for instance, can act as a “scavenger” of free radicals, helping to reduce cellular stress.

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Implications for Daily Life and ADHD

So, what does all this mean for someone with ADHD? This study provides more pieces to solve the puzzle of how ADHD can affect the body in ways we hadn’t imagined. We already know from other research that individuals with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder have a higher risk of concussions, experience more severe symptoms, and take longer to recover. The results of this study now suggest that even impacts that aren’t concussions can generate a stronger and potentially more damaging metabolic response in the “energy powerhouses” of those with ADHD.

Think of your own “powerhouse.” If it’s already working more intensely in daily life, any extra stress, like a head impact, can dysregulate it more significantly. This might partly explain why cognitive symptoms can worsen after an impact, and why recovery might be more complicated for those living with ADHD.

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The Medication Mystery: Does It Help or Hinder?

A question that always comes up is: what about ADHD medication? Does it play a role in this? The research brought up this question, and the answer isn’t so simple. Some studies suggest that stimulant medications might have a neuroprotective effect in the context of concussions, speeding up recovery. For example, athletes with ADHD who were on stimulant medication experienced significantly faster recovery times compared to their unmedicated counterparts.

However, there’s another line of research suggesting that some of these medications, especially at very high doses and used for long periods, can, paradoxically, affect mitochondria, those “energy powerhouses”. They could, for instance, decrease the activity of enzymes crucial for the energy production cycle. Ellis’s study couldn’t fully unravel this mystery because the participant sample was too small to differentiate based on medication type or dose. Most participants in the study were using medications like Adderall, Vyvanse, or Amphetamine Salts, and they weren’t on what are considered very high doses. Therefore, the impact of medication on the results remains an open question for future research.

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Next Steps and Daily Tips

This study is an important step towards better understanding the links between ADHD and brain health in impact situations. It shows us that the body’s response can be different and that we need more research to fully grasp all of this.

For those living with ADHD who love sports, especially those with some risk of head impact, the message isn’t to stop exercising! Physical activity brings many benefits for ADHD, helping to manage symptoms and improve well-being. The important thing is to stay aware.

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If you play contact sports:

• Talk to a healthcare professional: Share your concerns with your doctor, neurologist, or therapist. They can guide you on the best practices for your specific case.

• Pay attention to the signs: Keep an eye out for any changes in your body or mind after an impact. Symptoms like headaches, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, or irritability deserve attention.

• Prioritize protection: Always use appropriate protective equipment.

• Listen to your body: If something doesn’t feel right, take a break. Recovery is essential.

Research continues to advance to give us more clarity. Meanwhile, knowledge is our best tool. Understanding how ADHD functions in our bodies, in its various nuances, helps us make the best decisions for a full life with plenty of energy!

Also read: Unstable Brain Activity May Explain Control Struggles in Children with ADHD

Jeferson Manini

I am Jeferson Magno Amorim Manini, a Psychology undergraduate student with a passion for neuroscience, research, and knowledge. My academic and professional journey has led me to deeply explore Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), not only as a topic of study but as a reality that impacts millions of people.
It was from this passion that TDAH.World was born – a space created to inform, support, and connect people with ADHD. My goal is to translate complex information into accessible content, without losing scientific depth, so that more people can better understand and deal with the challenges – and also the potential – of ADHD.
I believe that well-applied knowledge can transform lives, and that’s what motivates me to keep studying, writing, and sharing insights on neuroscience, mental health, and cognitive performance. If you’ve made it this far, I hope you find something here that makes sense to you!