A new study led by a University at Buffalo researcher has identified how specific communication among different brain regions, known as brain connectivity, can serve as a biomarker for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)...The findings, published in the journal Frontiers in Physiology, have implications for not only detecting ADHD, a common but diagnostically slippery disorder that's difficult to identify, but can also help clinicians target treatments by understanding where patients sit on a broad-spanning continuum.

Kids whose mothers had an autoimmune disease were more likely to develop attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to results of a cohort study and meta-analysis. Mothers with an autoimmune disease were 30% more likely to have a child with ADHD (hazard ratio 1.30, 95% CI 1.15-1.46), reported Timothy Nielsen, MPH, of the University of Sydney in Australia, and colleagues.

Researchers in the Netherlands recently examined which techniques are most effective, and presented their findings in a poster at the recent American Professional Society of ADHD and Related Disorders (APSARD) 2021 Virtual Conference. Lead author Tycho Dekkers, PhD, explains the research and its findings in this video. (video + transcript)

Greg Mattingly, MD, said at the opening plenary session of the American Professional Society of ADHD and Related Disorders (APSARD) 2021 Virtual Conference. “Across the board, what you’ve seen is our children that are struggling have had a widened gap of disparity...Children from disproportionately economically disadvantaged homes, minority backgrounds, the kids that were poor learners have had a widening gap educationally.”

In this podcast, Esme Fuller-Thomson, PhD, of the University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, discusses her recent research which showed significantly higher rates of suicide attempt and ideation among people with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), particularly women, and her other work illustrating the mental health problems that co-occur with ADHD. (podcast + transcript)  

Difficulties with sitting still, paying attention or controlling impulsive behavior are some of the initial signs or symptoms of ADHD in children. The signs are often stereotyped as typical of behavior of young boys. It's reported that boys are three times more likely to be diagnosed than girls. Between not being included in ADHD research and the societal gender norms of female behavior, it has been a challenge to pinpoint this disorder in girls.

Bringing researchers in attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is crucial in the pursuit of new treatments and updated standards of care. Unlike other psychiatry conferences where ADHD makes up only a portion of the agenda, during the American Professional Society of ADHD and Related Disorders (APSARD) 2021 Annual Conference ADHD is the main focus.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most common childhood psychiatric disorder worldwide. It is also the most common neurodevelopmental disorder that impairs students’ learning in Canada. Unfortunately, most education systems across the country have not adapted how they understand and support students with ADHD. This disorder has yet to be officially recognized as a learning risk by many provincial Ministries of Education or the Canadian government.