A study using MRI technology found significantly higher levels of excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate and lower levels of inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA in the frontal region of children with ADHD. This imbalance may contribute to poor impulse control and other behavioral issues associated with the condition.
A recent genetic study found a strong association between the dopamine receptor D1 gene and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The study suggests that this gene variant may increase the risk of developing inattentive symptoms of ADHD. Further research is needed to confirm these findings, but the discovery provides new ins...
A recent brain-imaging study has identified specific areas of abnormal structure and function in the brains of children with ADHD, including reduced prefrontal cortex size and increased grey matter in regions controlling impulse control. The findings may help inform the development of new therapeutic agents for treating ADHD.
A study by Northwestern University researchers found that nearly a third of jailed teenagers have co-occurring substance abuse disorders and ADHD or behavioral disorders. The authors suggest that mental health professionals must collaborate with the juvenile justice system to improve screening, diversion, and access to treatment.
Researchers created a new brain mapping technique to visualize brain dynamics and dynamics of cortex maturation in children. The study found that gray matter loss begins first in motor and sensory parts of the brain, followed by areas involved in spatial orientation, speech, and language development.
Researchers identified a distinct phenotype of individuals with co-existing ADHD and alcoholism, characterized by increased severity of alcohol dependence and earlier age of onset. Adults with ADHD were found to be at high risk of developing an alcohol-use disorder, with a significantly higher daily intake of alcohol.
A study found that children with severe attention problems in childhood are more likely to develop substance abuse issues, particularly alcohol and marijuana problems. The researchers suggest that early identification and treatment of ADHD can help prevent these issues by targeting the root cause of inattention symptoms.
A study found that teenagers with severe childhood ADHD are more likely to experience substance use problems, including alcohol and marijuana use. The researchers also discovered that the severity of inattention symptoms in childhood ADHD is a strong predictor of early substance abuse.
Two studies clarify that ADHD and BPD are distinct disorders that can occur in adults, and identify bupropion as a possible treatment for both conditions. The medications used to treat ADHD may exacerbate manic symptoms, but addressing both disorders is crucial for improved functioning and well-being.
A recent survey found that nearly half of primary care physicians feel uncertain in diagnosing adult ADHD, highlighting the need for better training and symptom assessment tools. The survey also revealed that only 34% of physicians report being knowledgeable about adult ADHD, compared to 92% for depression.
A recent study suggests that I-123 Altropane SPECT imaging can detect dopamine deficiency in patients with drug-naïve ADHD. The study's results indicate a higher binding ratio of the radiopharmaceutical to dopamine transporters in ADHD patients, supporting the idea of a potential diagnostic tool.
A PET scan study found that only a combination of methylphenidate and a behavioral stimulus resulted in increased dopamine levels. The increases were associated with improved perception of the task as interesting and motivating.
A two-year study found significant improvements in ADHD symptoms in children treated with once-daily Adderall XR, with at least 35% sustained improvement. The medication remained effective in controlling symptoms over an extended period.
A clinical trial with over 2,900 patients found that once-daily Adderall XR significantly improved children's quality of life and reduced ADHD symptoms. The study used the PedsQL instrument to assess four health dimensions: physical, emotional, social, and school functioning.
A four-week study of adults with ADHD found that extended-release mixed-salts amphetamine medication significantly improved symptoms and functioning. The treatment was well-tolerated and showed no evidence of drug tolerance, according to the researchers.
A study found that 40% of children with ADHD responded well to lower doses of medication paired with a placebo, showing equal control over symptoms and fewer side effects. The researchers aim to explore mechanisms and establish clinical applications for this treatment approach.
Adults with ADHD are at higher risk of dropping out of school, losing jobs, and experiencing marital problems due to poor social skills and increased anxiety and depression. Reliable diagnosis and treatment options, such as stimulant medications and new psychotherapeutic approaches, can help manage the condition.
Researchers at the Salk Institute found a genetic connection between organophosphate exposure and ADHD-like behavior, as well as symptoms similar to Gulf War syndrome. Mice exposed to organophosphates showed a 40% decrease in the NTE enzyme, leading to behavioral changes and neurological problems.
A recent study published in Pediatrics found that treating children with ADHD with stimulants significantly reduces the risk of developing a substance use disorder. The researchers analyzed data from six long-term studies and found a two-fold reduction in SUD risks among treated youths compared to untreated peers.
A low-intensity behavioral and social skill program showed promise in reducing ADHD symptoms in children and improving parent-child relationships. The study found that parents who participated in the class reported fewer ADHD symptoms in their children and more consistent discipline practices, while teachers saw no significant difference.
A meta-analysis of six studies involving over 1,000 participants with ADHD found that stimulant treatment significantly reduces the risk of subsequent substance abuse. The protective effect was strongest in adolescents and decreased in young adults.
A new study found that EEG biofeedback therapy significantly reduced ADHD symptoms in children by altering brain wave patterns. The treatment was particularly effective in reducing slow brain waves and improving attention deficit.
Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are more likely to experience bedwetting and bowel problems, according to a study published at the American Academy of Pediatrics annual meeting. The researchers found that a computerized feedback technique significantly reduced these issues in children without ADHD.
A recent study using MRI scans found that children with ADHD showed smaller brain volumes in all regions compared to their peers. The researchers suggest that the disorder may be caused by genetic factors rather than medication use.
A new study confirms that children with ADHD have smaller brains than those without the disorder, but found that stimulant medications do not affect brain size. The research, led by Dr. F. Xavier Castellanos, also showed that brain development in children with ADHD is normal and healthy.
A study by University of California - Irvine researchers found that high manganese levels in soy milk formula may cause behavioral problems and lowered dopamine levels in infant rats, similar to those seen in ADHD. The study suggests a potential correlation between high manganese doses and attention deficit disorder.
A recent UC Berkeley study contradicts earlier findings on girls with ADHD, revealing they are severely impaired academically and socially. The study, conducted over six weeks, found these girls have difficulty making friends, exhibiting aggressive behavior, and displaying social isolation.
A study found increased transmission of SNAP-25/DdeI variant in Irish ADHD trios, suggesting a genetic link between the SNAP gene and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and explore the potential of SNAP gene variants as biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment.
A new study led by Imperial College London seeks to treat children suffering from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) using EEG biofeedback therapy. The therapy involves training children's brain activity on a computer, aiming to correct the imbalance of slow and fast wave activity associated with ADHD.
A new time-release stimulant has been shown to produce significant behavioral improvements in children with ADHD, regardless of dosage. The medication offers a stable therapeutic environment and symptom control into the evening, allowing for improved daily functioning.
A new study found that adolescents with ADHD symptoms are more likely to smoke, highlighting the potential for targeting tobacco control efforts towards high-risk youth. The researchers also suggest that nicotine may help manage ADHD symptoms.
A study by Brookhaven National Laboratory found that individual variation in dopamine release affects Ritalin's efficacy in treating attention/hyperactivity disorder. The study suggests that patients with low dopamine cell activity may not respond to the drug, even if it blocks dopamine transporters.
A new study published in Neurology has demonstrated that the combination of clonidine and methylphenidate (Ritalin) is an effective treatment for children with ADHD and chronic tic disorders, with minimal side effects. The treatment was found to improve 'on task' behavior and attentiveness, while reducing symptoms of crying, frustratio...
A new study found that methylphenidate (MPH) is effective in treating children with both attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and tic disorders like Tourette's. The treatment was previously thought to worsen tics, but the study showed no increase in tics and even eased them in some cases.
Researchers found a genetic association between IL-1 receptor antagonist and ADHD, suggesting immune system involvement in childhood susceptibility. The study suggests that altered IL-1 activity may contribute to ADHD's dopaminergic reactivity.
Research found that older girls with ADHD often internalize their feelings and exhibit social problems, anxiety, and depression. Higher verbal IQ scores were unexpectedly associated with ADHD symptoms in girls, differing from previous research on boys.
A new study at Lehigh University will introduce alternative strategies to control ADHD symptoms in preschoolers without medication. The goal is to improve behavioral, social, and educational outcomes for young children at risk of ADHD.
Researchers at Yale University have conducted a controlled study on guanfacine, finding it to be an effective treatment for children with ADHD and tic disorders. The study showed significant improvement in symptoms, including a 37% increase in total score on the ADHD Rating Scale compared to placebo.
A new study assesses the effects of therapeutic doses of oral Ritalin on dopamine levels in healthy, adult male subjects, revealing increased dopamine levels and potential improvement in attention and focus for ADHD symptoms.
Research findings suggest that depression in children is linked to increased serotonin transporter availability, while dopamine levels are less significant. A family-based study also identifies a potential link between the DRD4 gene and ADHD, highlighting progress in understanding molecular basis of childhood mental illness.
A recent survey found significant disparities in ADHD medication treatment among Maryland public school students, with minority children receiving lower rates of medication. Special education students are almost six times more likely to receive medication for ADHD than their regular education counterparts.
A new study found that non-medicated ADHD children are three times slower than their non-ADHD counterparts when making quick decisions. However, when treated with Ritalin, the ADHD children's reaction times returned to normal.
A new study finds that carefully monitored medication treatment alone can be as effective as combination therapy in reducing ADHD symptoms. The research recommends a personalized approach, combining optimal medication doses with monthly office visits and teacher input to maximize treatment effectiveness.
A study from Massachusetts General Hospital found that treated ADHD boys are one-third as likely to develop substance abuse or dependence compared to untreated peers. The research contradicts the myth that stimulant treatment could lead to future drug abuse.
A new study funded by NIDA and NIMH found that boys with ADHD treated with stimulants like Ritalin are less likely to develop substance use disorders. The study showed an 84% reduction in risk among medicated ADHD boys, compared to non-medicated ADHD boys and those without ADHD.
A new study reveals two distinct subtypes of ADHD affecting boys and girls at similar rates, contradicting traditional assumptions about the disorder's impact on males. The research also identifies genetic factors as a key contributor to ADHD risk, with identical twins showing 80% concordance rate.
A new study has found that Adderall lasts longer than Ritalin in treating ADHD symptoms, and is at least as effective. The trial involved 25 children who took part in an eight-week program and showed significant improvements in social behavior and academic performance with both medications.
Researchers identified preferential transmission of alleles at the Dopamine transporter gene (DAT1), Dopamine-b-hydroxylase (DBH), and Dopamine D5 receptor (DRD5) in affected children. The findings suggest a possible genetic contribution to the disorder, with stronger transmission of associated alleles in familial cases.
Ritalin and other stimulants appear to restore balance between dopamine and serotonin, calming hyperactivity. The study suggests that targeting serotonin may be a more effective approach to treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) than previously thought.
A study using genetically engineered mice suggests that Ritalin calms humans with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) by affecting serotonin levels, rather than dopamine. The findings provide a new understanding of the drug's mechanism of action and could lead to more effective treatments for ADHD.
Researchers found that Ritalin reduces activation in the cerebellum and basal ganglia while increasing activation in novel areas of the brain, improving working memory in ADHD patients. This study provides new clues for developing more specific drug treatment for individuals with ADHD.
A recent study found that chronically ill children are more likely to experience poor adjustment, including hostility or withdrawal, regardless of the illness type. The researchers controlled for social and economic factors but still observed a significant difference between chronically ill and healthy children.
A population association study found a higher percentage of the 7 repeat allele and 7+ genotype in ADHD children compared to controls. The study also identified significant positive results from a family-based approach, providing additional evidence for an association between DRD4 gene and ADHD.
A newly released intelligence test can help diagnose Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children by measuring their planning ability. The test, called the Cognitive Assessment System (CAS), showed that children with ADHD scored significantly lower than average on CAS in a measurement of planning ability.
Research at Emory University Health Sciences Center found that individuals with ADHD tend to integrate information in more visual and less auditory ways, which may explain their everyday difficulties. The study used PET scans to evaluate working memory in ADHD patients and normal control subjects.
Researchers discovered novel genetic associations with ADHD, including a strong link between the dopamine transporter gene and symptoms. These findings may lead to improved diagnostic tools and targeted treatments for ADHD.
Studies suggest that slow stop-signal reaction time is responsible for poor impulse control in individuals with ADHD. Researchers are developing an objective diagnostic technique to refine understanding of ADHD and improve diagnosis.
Children with FAS have behavioral and learning problems in addition to brain damage and facial abnormalities. Researchers found that children with FAS can focus on tasks but struggle with using new information and switching attention, which may explain why drugs like Ritalin are ineffective for this group.
A comprehensive brain imaging study confirms subtle structural abnormalities in the brain circuit responsible for executive functions in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The study found smaller right hemisphere brain structures and abnormally symmetrical brains in boys with ADHD.