I'm now starting Chapter 2 of "ADHD 2.0" (#Hallowell and #Ratey 2021). This is the one where they introduce the supposed neurological underpinnings of #ADHD. I'm noticing a jarring contrast of tone between this book and the autism literature I've read so far, such as Wenn #Lawson's "The Passionate Mind", or Steve #Silberman's "NeuroTribes" (which I'm also still working my way through BTW). The autism literature has more of what I'd consider scientific humility. It's taken for granted that autism is a profound topic, that it isn't easy to make progress with understanding it, and that much remains unsolved. But Hallowell and Ratey make it sound as if "the exciting new science of fMRI" (as they are pleased to call it) has illuminated #ADHD as thoroughly as anyone could wish, that the task-positive network (TPN) and the default mode network (DMN) are the solution to everything. It makes me feel talked down to — and puts me on my guard. This is how hucksters talk.
I'm also reminded of a recent science news article I saw, about a new study purporting to refute the most basic assumption of #fMRI studies (which BTW are NOT new) — namely, that the rate of blood flow in a brain area correlates closely with the level of neural activity. I haven't really looked into this yet, but if it's correct, much of what #fMRI has supposedly demonstrated will have to go back to the drawing board.
Here's a link to the news story on problems with #fMRI: