BackgroundIndividuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are at increased risk of premature mortality, but the mechanisms that underlie this association after young adulthood are unknown. As ADHD is associated with cardiovascular disease, modifiable cardiovascular risk factors could contribute to links between ADHD and premature mortality.AimsThis study aims to investigate whether specific cardiovascular risk factors explain the association between childhood ADHD problems and a higher risk of premature mortality.MethodsWe used the UK 1958 birth cohort, the National Child Development study (NCDS), and linked death register data to examine whether children with ADHD problems at age 7 years were at higher risk of premature mortality by age 58 and if specific modifiable cardiovascular risk factors, measured at midlife (age 44 years), mediated this association using path analysis.ResultsA total of 8,016 individuals completed both the age 7 ADHD assessment and the age 44/45 biomedical assessment. Of these individuals, 231 (3.1%) were grouped as likely having ADHD. The odds ratio (OR) for deaths (n = 251) in the ADHD group versus the non-ADHD group was 1.86 (95% CI 1.08–3.17). The risk was largely explained by cigarette smoking status at midlife and by a higher waist–hip ratio (a measure of obesity).ConclusionsChildhood ADHD problems are associated with a higher risk of premature mortality by age 58. This risk seems to be mainly explained by two potentially modifiable cardiovascular risk factors: obesity and smoking. These risks should be prioritized for preventative interventions to reduce the risk of premature mortality in those with a history of ADHD.
<![CDATA[New psychiatry drugs target dementia agitation, ADHD, depression, TRD, and schizophrenia—see which novel mechanisms may reach the FDA next.]]>
Noise, air pollution exposure and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a meta-analysis
ObjectiveThis meta-analysis evaluated the associations between noise exposure, air pollutants, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, aiming to inform future prevention strategies.MethodsStudies were systematically retrieved from CNKI, Wanfang, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and the Cochrane Library, covering publications from inception to November 2025. Heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran’s Q test and the I² statistic. Subgroup analyses, meta-regression, and sensitivity analyses were performed to evaluate the robustness of the findings.ResultsNoise exposure was associated with a small increase in ADHD risk (odds ratio [OR] = 1.03, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01–1.05), with stronger associations for childhood exposure, whereas prenatal exposure showed no significant effect. Given the modest effect size, this finding should be interpreted cautiously. Particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) was significantly associated with ADHD in continuous-exposure models—PM2.5 (OR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.16–1.50) and PM10 (OR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.15–1.87). In dichotomous models, PM2.5 was not significant, while PM10 remained positively associated (OR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.11–2.26). Elevated nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposure was also associated with a modest increase in ADHD risk (OR = 1.11, 95% CI: 1.02–1.20), whereas nitrogen oxides (NOx), ozone (O3), and sulfur dioxide (SO2) did not show significant associations.ConclusionsNoise and several air pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, and NO2) were significantly associated with increased ADHD risk, particularly during childhood exposure. Other pollutants, including O3 and SO2, did not demonstrate significant effects. These findings suggest that environmental noise and several air pollutants may be associated with ADHD; however, some observed associations, particularly for noise and NO2, were modest in magnitude and should be interpreted cautiously. These results reflect observational associations rather than evidence of a strong or causal effect, while the evidence for some pollutants remains limited or inconclusive. Further research is needed to clarify pollutant-specific associations and the role of exposure timing.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42024593274, identifier CRD42024593274; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42025632899, identifier CRD42025632899.
Biomarkers of ASD/ADHD and Factors Affecting Anxiety and Depression in Children and Young Adults
Conditions: ADHD – Attention Deficit Disorder With Hyperactivity; Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD); Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)
Sponsors: University of Exeter; University of Southampton; University of Dublin, Trinity College; Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy; Jimma University; FUNDACION PARA LA INVESTIGACION HOSPITAL CLINICO SAN CARLOS; The International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh; University of Bari Aldo Moro
Not yet recruiting
Sponsors: University of Exeter; University of Southampton; University of Dublin, Trinity College; Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy; Jimma University; FUNDACION PARA LA INVESTIGACION HOSPITAL CLINICO SAN CARLOS; The International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh; University of Bari Aldo Moro
Not yet recruiting
Pilot of Unstuck and On Target in Ecuador
Conditions: Autism Spectrum Disorder; Attention Deficit Disorder With Hyperactivity (ADHD)
Interventions: Behavioral: Spanish-Language Unstuck and On Target (SL-Unstuck)
Sponsors: University of Colorado, Denver; Neurodesarrollo Quito
Completed
Interventions: Behavioral: Spanish-Language Unstuck and On Target (SL-Unstuck)
Sponsors: University of Colorado, Denver; Neurodesarrollo Quito
Completed
Role of Theta Frequency Oscillations in Proactive and Reactive Control Processes in Youth With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Conditions: ADHD; Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD); Healthy Volunteer
Sponsors: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Not yet recruiting
Sponsors: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Not yet recruiting
Effects and Mechanisms of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Combined With Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Training in Adults With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Conditions: Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Interventions: Device: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)
Sponsors: Nanjing Medical University
Recruiting
Interventions: Device: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)
Sponsors: Nanjing Medical University
Recruiting
Stigma in adults with ADHD: a systematic review of types, experiences, and potential implications for quality of life
BackgroundAttention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a disorder characterized by hyperactive, impulsive, and/or inattentive symptoms. Adults with ADHD often report reduced quality of life (QoL) across social, educational, and occupational functioning. Part of these deficits may be attributed to stigma, which includes stereotypes, prejudices, discrimination, and negative labelling. While stigma’s effects on QoL have been extensively documented in other mental health conditions, the specific types and impacts of stigma experienced by adults with ADHD remain underexplored in recent reviews.AimsTo identify and describe the different types of stigmas experienced by adults with ADHD, while exploring how stigma may impact QoL’s key domains as defined by WHO (physical domain, psychological domain, level of independence, social relationships, environment, and spirituality/religion/personal beliefs).MethodsA literature search was conducted across APA PsycArticles, Embase, and Ovid MEDLINE(R) for ADHD AND stigma-related keywords. Eligible studies were English, peer-reviewed articles from the past decade involving adults (≥18) and describing or specifying at least one type of stigma.ResultsA total of 17 papers met the inclusion criteria. Stigma types included self-stigma and/or internalized stigma, perceived stigma, public stigma, and structural stigma. QoL domains affected included the psychological domain, social relationships, environment, and level of independence. Greater ADHD symptomatology was positively correlated with more internalized stigma, which in turn was linked to functional impairment, worse self-esteem, and poorer QoL. Self-stigma manifested as self-deprecating labels and ADHD devaluation. Perceived stigma hindered treatment seeking, medication compliance, and diagnostic disclosure, although associations with QoL were insignificant. Public stigma was the most investigated and related to negative societal attitudes, notably in academic contexts. Few studies looked at structural stigma; those that did identified structural barriers to care, though none directly assessed QoL outcomes.ConclusionStigma remains pervasive, though direct effects on QoL domains are less widely investigated. Future studies should investigate structural stigma in more depth and explore causal relationships between stigma and QoL.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/Y52HK
<![CDATA[Sleep disorders commonly occur in young patients with ADHD. See how to monitor and treat these issues.]]>
Electrophysiological and morphological alteration in the visual pathway of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
IntroductionAttention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in children. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and Visual evoked potentials (VEP) are common non-invasive diagnostic techniques. Researchers can use these techniques to identify possible biomarkers and explore the neurodevelopmental mechanisms underlying ADHD.MethodsThe ADHD group (37 cases, average age 8.81 ± 1.44 years) and the healthy controls (38 cases, average age 8.97 ± 1.43 years), had the OCT and VEP. The retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL), optic disc parameters, and macular parameters were measured through OCT. The latencies of P100 and the amplitudes of N75-P100 and P100-N135 waves at three different spatial frequencies (visual angles of 15’, 30’, and 60’) were tested through VEP.ResultsThe average RNFL and RNFL in each quadrant between the two groups were no statistically significant (all p > 0.05). The optic disc area, average cup-to-disc ratio, and cup volume in the ADHD group were all significantly larger than those in the control group (all p < 0.05). At three visual angles (15’, 30’, 60’), P100-latency in the ADHD group were all more significant than those in the control group (all p < 0.05). The amplitudes of N75-P100 and P100-N135 in the ADHD group were all statistically significantly lower than those in the control group (all p ≤ 0.001).DiscussionFrom the perspective of electroencephalophysiology, children with ADHD may have early visual information processing disorders. This provides a theoretical and practical basis for further early intervention in children with ADHD from the field of visual perception. The study protocol followed the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki, was approved by the local ethics committee (No 2023-2240), and was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (ChiCTR2400086223).