Executive Function and Brain Region Development in ADHD: Mechanisms and Interventions in the Prefrontal Cortex and Related Circuits

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder in children and adolescents, significantly impacting academic performance, emotional regulation, and social adaptation. Executive function, a higher-order cognitive ability that governs cognition, emotion, and behavior, is a core symptom of ADHD. This article examines executive function deficits in ADHD, focusing on the roles of brain regions such as the prefrontal cortex, parietal lobe, and basal ganglia, and how developmental abnormalities in these areas contribute to the disorder. Research shows that deficits in attention control, impulse inhibition, and working memory are linked to structural and functional abnormalities in these brain regions. By integrating neuroimaging and biological research, this article explores how delays or dysregulations in brain development led to executive function impairments, shedding light on the neurobiological mechanisms involved. Furthermore, the paper evaluates the potential of cognitive training, pharmacological treatments, and behavioral therapies in improving these deficits, particularly by enhancing the function of the prefrontal cortex