Childhood ADHD and Adulthood Alcohol Problems: The Role of Emotional Impulsivity

These findings are important, as CDC rank alcohol-attributable mortality as the third leading cause of preventable death in the United States…Investigators affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh, University of Houston-Clear Lake, Chatham University in Pittsburgh, and Florida International University, showed that elevated levels of emotional impulsivity among children diagnosed with ADHD are associated with an…

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Early exposure to too much manganese causes attention deficits in rats

Researchers using a rodent model of childhood manganese exposure have found that too much manganese early in development causes lasting attention deficits and other impairments. Manganese is an essential element, required by the body in trace amounts…The most common source of exposure to excess manganese is drinking water from wells, because groundwater in some areas…

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Patterns and Strength of Familial Aggregation of ADHD

In the largest longitudinal study to date, Swedish researchers affiliated with the Karolinska Institutet and Örebro University showed that familial aggregation of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) increases significantly along with increasing genetic relatedness. These new findings were published in The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry.

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Parent- and Peer-Mediated Intervention Improves Social Play Skills of Children With ADHD

New findings of a randomized controlled trial indicate that play-based intervention designed to improve the social play skills is effective among children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Investigators affiliated with The University of Sydney, the Curtin University in Perth, and Australian Catholic University published their findings in the journal PLoS One.

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ADHD associated with unhealthy diet in pregnancy

New research emphasizes the importance of a healthy diet during pregnancy, after finding children with conduct disorder in early life may be more likely to develop symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder if their mother consumes a high-fat, high-sugar diet while expecting.

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Acetaminophen Use During Pregnancy Linked to Childhood Behavioral Problems, Study Finds

A common over-the-counter pain medication has been associated with increased risk of developing behavioral issues for children who were exposed to the drug in utero, according to a study published today in the medical journal JAMA Pediatrics…Dr. Max Wiznitzer, a pediatric neurologist at Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, said the study provides valuable insight but…

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ADHD in Older Adults

For which patients over 50 who complain of cognitive difficulty should ADHD be considered in the differential? What are the treatment options for older adults with this diagnosis? David Goodman, MD, FAPA addresses both questions in this brief podcast.

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To Parents of Children With Learning and Other Disabilities

If your child has a learning disorder, mental health diagnoses, or other qualified disability, he or she is entitled to fair treatment at school. Unfortunately, getting your child the services he or she deserves is often a long and drawn-out battle that demands zealous advocacy and a willingness to educate yourself about your child’s rights…here…

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ADHD and Michael Phelps: Medication Is Not a Crutch

One of the greatest disservices to children and adults with mental health issues is marginalizing those who need medication…ADHD is a biological, neurological, and genetic disorder. Michael Phelps has not “beat” his ADHD diagnosis…he and his mother, Debbie Phelps (who provided a lot of structure to Michael), would be the first people to tell you…

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Are Adult and Childhood ADHD Different Conditions?

Diagnosing an adult with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) requires at least five symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity and impulsivity, per the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)…What if an adult has indications of ADHD, but didn’t as a child? Could adult and childhood ADHD be two distinct conditions?

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Why You Should Skip Adderall as a Study Drug

Popping an ADHD pill, such as Adderall, to enhance your studying and boost grades might sound tempting. But you could be risking rare and serious side effects like heart attack, stroke, and possibly even death, for little, if any benefit.

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ADHD in the classroom: a struggle for teachers and students

The list of symptoms for kids who have ADHD reads like a recipe for problems in school…Increasing academic demands have only made it harder for kids with ADHD, argues Dr. Jeffrey Brosco, professor of clinical pediatrics at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. With kids spending more time preparing for standardized tests and…

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