ADHD in the News 2019-11-21
Omega-3 oils boost attention as much as ADHD drugs in some children
Omega-3 fish oil supplements can improve attention in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) just as much as drug treatments, but only in those whose blood levels of omega-3 are low, trial results showed on Wednesday. Researchers in Britain and Taiwan who conducted the placebo-controlled trial with 92 children said their findings suggest a “personalized medicine” approach should be adopted in this and other psychiatric conditions.
Behavioral Interventions Beneficial for ADHD
A new study highlights the benefits of physical exercise in improving cognitive function in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to a report published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research...According to the investigators, this is the first meta-analysis that reviewed behavioral and cognitive interventions for ADHD and examined their effect on cognitive interventions.
Autism-linked gene variants increase odds of attention deficit
A collection of rare genetic variants associated with autism and schizophrenia also increase a person’s odds of having attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to the largest study to explore this link...The study, led by researchers at deCODE genetics in Reykjavik, Iceland, lends support to the idea that autism, schizophrenia and ADHD have similar biological underpinnings.
Autism, ADHD risks increased for adolescents with hypogonadism, delayed puberty
Children with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism or delayed puberty are more likely to develop neurodevelopment disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder, ADHD and intellectual disabilities, compared with those who undergo normal puberty, according to findings published in the Journal of Neuroendocrinology.
Study Looks at Genetic Cause-and-Effect Between ADHD and Substance Use
We know that ADHD is linked to substance use, but as is often the case with psychology research, there are some challenges in drawing conclusions about cause-and-effect...You might intuitively suspect that ADHD symptoms are more likely to cause substance use than the other way around, and a new study adds some evidence for that view.
Prenatal Exposure to Air Pollution Tied to Brain Changes Often Seen in ADHD, Autism
A new Spanish study shows a link between prenatal exposure to air pollution and changes in the corpus callosum, a region of the brain associated with neurodevelopmental disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The findings are published in the journal Environmental Research.
High-fat maternal diet can cause life-long changes in the fetal brain
A study team at MedUni Vienna’s Center for Brain Research has found that high-fat maternal diets can cause life-long changes in the brain of the unborn offspring. When a pregnant woman consumes a diet high in polyunsaturated omega-6 fatty acids, her body produces an excess of endogenous cannabinoids (endocannabinoids), which overload the fetal organism and impair the development of healthy brain networks. Such a mechanism seems relevant to pathologies such as ADHD, schizophrenia and anxiety disorders.
Think your child has ADHD? What your pediatrician can — and should — do
ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is the most common neurobehavioral disorder of childhood. It affects approximately 7% to 8% of all children and youth in the US. As the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) pointed out in their recent clinical practice guideline for ADHD, that’s more than the mental health system can handle, which means that pediatricians need to step up and help out.
ADHD Project Will Use Telehealth to ID, Treat Parents in Need of Help
A national study coordinated by the University of Maryland will use a telehealth platform to identify and help parents of children living with ADHD who are struggling with mental health issues of their own...“We are taking this approach because we recognize that untreated parental mental health challenges can influence the home environment and the child’s functioning over time,” UMD psychology professor Andrea Chronis-Tuscano, principal investigator for the study.