The transition from children's services to adult services for young people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: the CATCh-uS mixed-methods study

 Read paper from the national Institute of Health research here

Rich rewards: Scientists reveal ADHD medication's effect on the brain

Researchers scan the brain to uncover how medication for ADHD affects the brain's reward system. Click here to read ScienceDaily article

Study: Too Many Kids With ADHD Given Antipsychotic Drugs

A new study finds that many antipsychotic drug prescriptions given to children and teens with attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) do not appear to be clinically warranted. The findings, published in the journal JAMA Network Open, show that fewer than half of the youth in the study who were prescribed antipsychotic drugs had first been treated with stimulants such as Adderall and Ritalin, the recommended medication treatments for ADHD. Click here to read further.

More sleep may help teens with ADHD focus and organize

Teenagers with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may benefit from more sleep to help them focus, plan and control their emotions. Study is first to find executive functioning skills deteriorate with lack of sleep.  Click here to read further.

Youngest Students in Class More Likely to Be Diagnosed With ADHD

August-born children living in states with a school enrollment cut-off date of September 1 are 30 percent more likely to receive a diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), compared with their slightly older peers enrolled in the same grade, according to a new study led by Harvard Medical School researchers. Click here for PsychCentral article

Younger aged children with symptoms of ADHD have reduced brain size

Children as young as four years old with symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) showed reduced brain volumes in regions essential for behavioral control, according to a new study.  Click here for news item.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy particularly efficient in treating ADHS in adults

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) group training was shown to achieve the same results as neurofeedback training in treating attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Both methods led to a comparable decrease in symptoms. CBT, however, proved to be generally more efficient, concluded new research.Read more HERE.

ADHD medication tied to lower risk for alcohol, drug abuse in teens and adults

The use of medication to treat attention deficient hyperactivity disorder is linked to significantly lower risk for substance use problems in adolescents and adults with ADHD, according to a study led by researchers at Indiana University.

Study suggests antidepressant use in early pregnancy does not increase autism, ADHD risk in kids

A study led by Indiana University suggests that mothers' use of antidepressants during early pregnancy does not increase the risk of their children developing autism or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, conditions previously associated with these medications.

What social workers need to know about ADHD, trauma and neglect

Social workers need more understanding of how trauma impacts behaviour to help prevent maltreated children being misdiagnosed with ADHD.

Children in the child protection system are three times more likely to have a diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) than the general population. Why is this the case? It’s possible that children with ADHD are more vulnerable to parental abuse and neglect because of their challenging behaviour and the socioeconomic backgrounds most commonly associated with ADHD.

Benefits of long-term use of ADHD medications questioned

In a study that followed more than 500 children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) into adulthood, extended use of stimulant medication was linked with suppressed adult height but not with reduced symptoms of ADHD.

Harnessing ADHD for business success

The symptoms of ADHD foster important traits associated with entrepreneurship. That conclusion was reached in a study conducted by an international team of economists, who found that entrepreneurs with ADHD embrace new experiences and demonstrate passion and persistence. Their intuitive decision making in situations involving uncertainty was seen by the researchers as a reason for reassessing existing economic models.

Can methylphenidate be used for adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?

This updated Medicines Q&A reviews the evidence evaluating the use of methylphenidate for the treatment of adults with ADHD.

Brain differences in ADHD

Largest imaging study of ADHD to date identifies differences in five regions of the brain, with greatest differences seen in children rather than adults.

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with the delayed development of five brain regions and should be considered a brain disorder, according to a study published in The Lancet Psychiatry.

Very premature babies at risk of mental health problems – research

Children who are born very prematurely are at greater risk of developing mental health and social problems that can persist well into adulthood, according to one of the largest reviews of evidence.

Those with an extremely low birth weight, at less than a kilogram, are more likely to have attention disorders and social difficulties as children, and feel more shyness, anxiety and depression as adults, than those born a healthy weight.

Working out the genetic risk for ADHD

Genetics play a strong part in the development of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but the path from a gene to risk for the disorder has remained a black box to researchers. A new study suggests how the risk gene ADGRL3 (LPHN3) might work. ADGRL3 encodes the protein latrophilin 3, which regulates communication between brain cells. According to the study, a common variation of the gene associated with ADHD disrupts its ability to regulate gene transcription - the formation of mRNA from DNA that leads to expression of the gene.