ADHD Research News
New ADHD research studies referenced in this week's ADHD in the News:
- Aitken, Blair, et al. “Driving Performance and Ocular Activity Following Acute Administration of 10 Mg Methylphenidate: A Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.” Journal of Psychopharmacology (October 11, 2024). DOI: 10.1177/02698811241286715.
- Referenced in “Ritalin on the road: ADHD drug methylphenidate improves driving performance (PsyPost, December 19, 2024)”
- American Academy of Pediatrics Board of Directors. “Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS): Clinical Report.” Pediatrics (December 16, 2024). DOI: 10.1542/peds.2024-070334.
- Referenced in “AAP links condition to behavioral, developmental issues in children (WFXR TV, December 17, 2024)”
- Clark, Danielle N., et al. “Prolonged STAT1 Signaling in Neurons Causes Hyperactive Behavior.” Brain, Behavior, and Immunity 124 (February 1, 2025): 1-8. DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2024.11.018.
- Referenced in “Dopamine neurons’ sensitivity to immune system gene offers clues to hyperactivity and behavioral disorders (PsyPost, December 17, 2024)”
- di Giacomo, Ester, et al. “Methylphenidate and Atomoxetine in Pregnancy and Possible Adverse Fetal Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” JAMA Network Open 7, no. 11 (November 6, 2024): e2443648. DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.43648.
- Referenced in “ADHD Medication Effects Not Linked to Adverse Outcomes in Newborns (Psychiatry Advisor, December 19, 2024)”
- Li, Yichun, et al. “ADHD Detection Based on Human Action Recognition.” Neuroscience Applied 3 (2024): 104093. DOI: 10.1016/j.nsa.2024.104093.
- Referenced in “Scientists develop AI-based method to detect ADHD by analyzing videos (PsyPost, December 16, 2024)”
- Ostinelli, Edoardo G., et al. “Comparative Efficacy and Acceptability of Pharmacological, Psychological, and Neurostimulatory Interventions for ADHD in Adults: A Systematic Review and Component Network Meta-Analysis.” The Lancet Psychiatry 12, no. 1 (January 2025): 32-43. DOI: 10.1016/S2215-0366(24)00360-2.
- Referenced in “What’s the best treatment for ADHD? Large new study offers clues (CNN, December 17, 2024)”
- Summit, Alynna G., et al. “Prevalence of Pharmacotherapy for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Prescription Stimulant Misuse: A National Study of US College Students.” Addiction (November 17, 2024). DOI: 10.1111/add.16716.
- Referenced in “Misusing Prescription Stimulants in Universities Linked to ADHD Med Prevalence (Psychiatry Advisor, December 18, 2024)”
- Westwood, Samuel J., et al. “Neurofeedback for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” JAMA Psychiatry (December 11, 2024). DOI: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2024.3702.
- Referenced in “Neurofeedback may not be effective in reducing ADHD symptoms (King's College London, December 11, 2024)”
- Zhou, Shujin, et al. “Screen Time and Behavioural Problems among Preschool Children: Unveiling the Mediating Effect of Sleep Quality.” Early Child Development and Care (December 6, 2024): 1-11. DOI: 10.1080/03004430.2024.2393413.
- Referenced in “Too much screen time can reduce sleep quality in preschool-age children, making behavioral problems worse (ScienceDaily, December 12, 2024)”
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Diagnosis, Treatment, and Telehealth Use in Adults — National Center for Health Statistics Rapid Surveys System, United States, October–November 2023
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), October 10, 2024, 73(40);890–895
In 2023, an estimated 15.5 million U.S. adults had an ADHD diagnosis, approximately one half of whom received their diagnosis in adulthood. Approximately one third of adults with ADHD take stimulant medication; 71.5% had difficulty filling their prescription because the medication was unavailable. Approximately one half of adults with ADHD have ever used telehealth for ADHD services.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children Ages 5–17 Years: United States, 2020–2022
NCHS Data Brief No. 499, March 2024
Data from the National Center for Health Statistics, National Health Interview Survey, 2020–2022, finds that 11.3% of children ages 5-17 in the U.S have ever been diagnosed with ADHD. See the breakdown by age group, race, ethnicity, family income, and insurance coverage at General Prevalence of ADHD.
Who Provides Outpatient Clinical Care for Adults With ADHD? Analysis of Healthcare Claims by Types of Providers Among Private Insurance and Medicaid Enrollees, 2021
Journal of Attention Disorders, March 18, 2024
This study from CDC researchers and CHADD PAB co-chair, Craig Surman, MD, finds that family practice physicians, psychiatrists, and nurse practitioners/psychiatric nurses were the most common providers for adults using employer-sponsored insurance, although the distribution of provider types varied across states. Lower percentages of adults with Medicaid received ADHD care from physicians. Approximately half of adults receiving outpatient ADHD care received ADHD care by telehealth.
ADHD medication and risk of cardiovascular diseases
Commentary by CHADD PAB member, Russell J. Schachar, MD, on Zhang et al. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Medications and Long-Term Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases, JAMA Psychiatry, November 22, 2023.
Trends in Stimulant Prescription Fills Among Commercially Insured Children and Adults—United States, 2016-2021
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, March 31, 2023
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Summary:
What is already known about this topic?
Prescriptions for stimulants, primarily used to treat attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), were increasing for adults before the COVID-19 pandemic. Policies enacted during the pandemic expanded access to prescription stimulants via telehealth.
What is added by this report?
The percentage of adolescent and adult females and adult males receiving prescription stimulant fills increased during 2016-2021, particularly during 2020-2021.
What are the implications for public health practice?
Growing recognition of ADHD in adults and increases in prescription stimulant fills raise questions about current adult ADHD care. Development of clinical recommendations for diagnosing and managing adult ADHD could help guide safe and appropriate stimulant prescribing. Evaluation of policies enacted during the pandemic could identify benefits and harms of those policies.