ADHD in the News 2017-06-15

Young drivers with ADHD 36% more likely to have an accident, study says

Adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are 36% more likely than other adolescent drivers to get into a car accident, according to a study published Monday in JAMA Pediatrics. Previous research has found much higher rates of crash risks for young people with ADHD...The new study's authors noted that the earlier research had limitations, such as using small samples of teens from specialty clinics and relying on self- and parent-reported accidents.



Experimental ADHD Drugs Aimed at Aggression, Genetic Targets

MIAMI – Medications in development for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) target specific behaviors, such as impulsive aggression, and genes that involve the glutamatergic network, new research shows. In the first of two studies presented here at the American Society of Clinical Pharmacology (ASCP), researchers reported on improvements in the management of impulsive aggression in children with ADHD with long-term therapy, lasting more than 6 months, of extended-release molindone (SPN-810, Supernus) as an adjunct to stimulant monotherapy.



Minority children on Medicaid less likely to continue ADHD treatment

Black and Hispanic children enrolled in Medicaid are significantly more likely to discontinue pharmacological treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder when compared with Medicaid-enrolled white children, according to study results.



Study analyzes ADHD diagnosis, stimulant use after guideline released

Diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) stopped increasing and stimulant use remained constant among U.S preschool children after the 2011 release of the AAP clinical practice guideline on the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD (http://bit.ly/2p0JpNW). These findings are detailed in a recently published study involving the AAP Pediatric Research in Office Settings (PROS) network."



Impairment persists despite treatment in adult ADHD

Despite treatment with short- or long-acting medications, adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder report more impairment than do non-ADHD adults across several domains of daily life, and at certain times of day. The findings, from a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association, suggest that adults with ADHD have burdens that may persist despite medication.



Does medication really improve outcomes for kids with ADHD? (VIDEO)

For Contemporary Pediatrics, Dr Bobby Lazzara discusses a controversial UK-based study published in JAMA Pediatrics that examined how well pharmacologic interventions for ADHD help education and health outcomes for impacted kids.



Most ADHD medicine used by December-born children

Children born at the end of the year are more likely to receive ADHD medication or an ADHD diagnosis than children born early in the year. This is according to a new study from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. The researchers have examined ADHD diagnoses and ADHD medication use among 510,000 Norwegian children aged 6-14 years (born in the period 1998-2006).



An ADHD Summer Reading Challenge

Reading is one of the most crucial activities for children, promoting language development, building knowledge, and setting up academic success – but getting children with ADHD to read can be tough. ADHD makes reading more difficult, since reading relies on attention and executive function...Summer is a great opportunity to encourage reading and create new habits...Here’s how to encourage reading this summer.



10 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Putting Your Child on ADHD Medication

Unsure whether your child needs meds for ADHD? This checklist will help you make an informed decision. Here's what you need to know."



What Diet Choices Can Help Kids With ADHD Calm Down?

Dr. Sanford Newmark, head of the Pediatric Integrative Neurodevelopmental Program and Medical Director at the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of California–San Francisco, says that a “sensible diet is important for all children, but especially those with ADHD.”