How exactly does an attention deficit medication work?

Unknown: We're still unsure both what mechanisms in the brain are different with adhd to cause the symptoms seen and how various medications that improve those symptoms work. Dopamine and norepinephrine are the two neuroregulators most often invoked as mediating the medication effects of stimulants and nonstimulants that improve adhd, but exactly how they exert those benefits remains under active study.

The Dopamine theory : Has been studied in adults with adhd. The medications keep the brain's own Dopamine in the synapses longer, rather than its being taken back up too quickly by the neuron that fired it or by the neuron that receives it. Thus, they stimulate the parts of the brain that inhibit behavior & facilitate sustained attention for mildly-moderately interesting tasks.Norepinephrine plays a role, too.