Epidemiological studies have linked developmental manganese (Mn) exposure to increased risk of ADHD and related symptoms in children and adolescents. Rodent model studies have 1) confirmed causality by demonstrating that developmental Mn exposure can cause lasting ADHD-like symptoms, 2) revealed that these symptoms (in Mn-exposed animals) are accompanied by a hypofunctioning catecholaminergic system in fronto-cortical-striatal brain areas, and 3) demonstrated that methylphenidate is efficacious…
