ADHD in the News 2020-10-01
Binge eating in ADHD may not be impulsivity-related
The disinhibited binge eating style often seen in individuals with high ADHD symptoms is attributable to a heightened neural reward response to food rather than to the impulsivity that’s a core feature of ADHD, Elizabeth Martin, MSc, reported at the virtual congress of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology.
Discrepancies Found in ADHD Prescriptions Between Males and Females
A team, led by Francien M. Kok, MSc, Department of Clinical and Developmental Neuropsychology, University of Groningen, examined the sex differences in prescription rates and efficacy of pharmacotherapy treatment in female ADHD patients, while identifying potential gaps in the scientific knowledge...The study, “The female side of pharmacotherapy for ADHD—A systematic literature review,” was published online in PLOS One.
7 science-backed natural remedies that may help with ADHD symptoms
Before considering alternative treatments, you should speak to your doctor to determine what options are best. Here's what you need to know about therapy and supplements for ADHD.
Some ‘Brain-Boosting’ Supplements Contain Unapproved Drugs
"Smart pills" and other dietary supplements marketed to boost brain function contained potentially dangerous combinations and doses of drugs not approved by the FDA, researchers found. Five of these drugs were found in 10 so-called "nootropic" or "cognitive enhancer" supplements tested, reported Pieter Cohen, MD, of Cambridge Health Alliance in Massachusetts, and colleagues in Neurology: Clinical Practice.
Sports activities are especially beneficial for young girls
Participating in after-school activities may help young girls overcome attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder to some degree, according to a new study from the University of Montreal. The researchers found that girls who are involved in sports or extracurriculars show improved behavior and attentiveness in early adolescence. The benefits, however, do not seem to be as pronounced among boys.
Stimulants generally safe for ADHD, but risk for misuse remains
“Stimulant misuse is a significant public health problem, especially in college students, but there are a lot of inconsistencies, and I think that more and more, we're focusing on stimulant misuse, particularly in college settings,” Timothy E. Wilens, MD, chief of the division of child and adolescent psychiatry and co-director of the Center for Addiction Medicine at Harvard Medical School, said during a presentation.
ADHD is partially genetic, but there are other risk factors that play a key role
Research have some insight into the genetic component of the condition. However, there are more to potential causes of ADHD aside from just your genes.
Here's what scientists know so far about the heritability of ADHD and how it compares to other risks that contribute to the condition.
People with ADHD who experience financial distress may also be at heightened risk for suicide
An analysis of more than 189,000 Swedish credit reports and mental health data from the entire population of the country found that people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who also had the highest risk of credit default were three to four times more likely to commit suicide than those with only one of these two risk factors.