ADHD in the News 2022-05-26

Updated Estimates of ADHD Prevalence, Comorbidity

Study data published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry provide prevalence estimates for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and comorbid medical conditions. Per data from a large, population-based cohort study, the national prevalence of ADHD was estimated at 3.5%.



Long thought to be the key to academic success, medication doesn’t help kids with ADHD learn, study finds

For decades, most physicians, parents and teachers have believed that stimulant medications help children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) learn. However, in the first study of its kind, researchers at the Center for Children and Families at FIU found medication has no detectable impact on how much children with ADHD learn in the classroom.



Low-dose ADHD drugs do not affect thyroid function, growth hormone at 1 year

Among children diagnosed with ADHD, low doses of ADHD medications did not affect thyroid or growth hormone levels, according to study data.



Social Isolation in Childhood Is Associated With ADHD Symptoms and Loneliness in Young Adulthood

Summary: Young children who experience social isolation are at risk of being diagnosed with ADHD and face loneliness as adults, a new study reports.



Helping children with ADHD readjust to in-person learning and socializing

Now that all children have returned to in-school learning and playing with their peers, some practical solutions to help those with ADHD achieve optimal academic and social success.



Medication treatment of pediatric psychiatric disorders reduces the later onset of substance use problems

Pharmacologic treatment in children and adolescents with psychiatric disorders reduces the risk of substance use later in life, especially in ADHD. Earlier-onset and longer-lasting treatment were most effective at reducing the later onset of substance use disorders.



Friday, May 20, 2022 – Paying attention to adult ADHD

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is often thought of as a disorder affecting children. But adults live with this condition too. It’s notoriously difficult to diagnose, but adult ADHD symptoms include impulsiveness, poor time management skills and trouble coping with stress. That all has implications for maintaining regular work schedules and social interactions.



Walmart, CVS to halt filling prescriptions for controlled substances by Cerebral, Done

May 26 (Reuters) - Walmart Inc (WMT.N) and CVS Health Corp (CVS.N) said on Wednesday they would stop filling prescriptions for controlled substances issued by telehealth startups Cerebral Inc and Done Health. Cerebral and Done are known for treating patients with ADHD, prescribing stimulants such as Adderall.



New brain-painting method developed at USF being tested for ADHD treatment

Imagine focusing on one thing so well that you can control its movement. Now, imagine mentally selecting colors and shapes to create an abstract image – a brain painting. USF computer scientist Marvin Andujar is harnessing the power of concentration and art to develop a new brain-computer interface (BCI) prototype and help study participants use their brain like never before. The goal is to introduce a novel treatment option for individuals with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) by tapping directly into their brain activity.



Fidgeting Strategies that Help People with ADHD Focus

If you have ADHD, you may have trouble sitting still, but there are ways to harness fidgeting behaviors to help improve your focus.



Dopamine makes you feel happy, but we probably still have to rewrite the textbooks

Researchers have discovered a new piece in the puzzle of the brain's 'feel good' substance, dopamine. According to one of the researchers behind the new study, the discovery may facilitate the development of drugs for i.e. cocaine addiction and ADHD and is most likely to change the general notion of how dopamine is removed from the brain.