Search Results (96)

Background/Objectives: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Dietary interventions can potentially control ADHD symptoms, providing a non-pharmacological approach that may improve the quality of life (QoL). This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the association between ultra-processed food intake (UPF) and QoL in children and adolescents with ADHD in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A total of 128 participants (66% males and 33% females) diagnosed with ADHD, aged 8–18 years, were assessed. A validated Saudi food frequency questionnaire was used to assess dietary intake; the degree of food processing was assessed using a novel classification system. The health-related QoL was measured using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory. Results: Both the child (57.83 ± 18.12) and parent perspectives (57.97 ± 16.09) of QOL scores were lower than those of healthy norms across all domains. (p-value < 0.0001). The UPF represented the largest proportion of total energy intake (48.76 ± 13.40%), followed by unprocessed or minimally processed foods (39.80 ± 13.35%). Parent- and child-reported QoL scores were strongly correlated (p < 0.0001); both were significantly lower than the healthy normative values across all domains (p < 0.0001). Higher parental educational attainment was associated with better QoL scores from both the child’s and parents’ perspectives (p = 0.049 and p = 0.023, respectively). Conclusions: Children and adolescents with ADHD demonstrated high consumption of UPF and significantly lower QoL scores than healthy norms. No significant association was observed between UPF intake and QoL scores. Further studies are needed to better understand the factors influencing dietary quality and QoL among children and adolescents with ADHD. Full article

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is traditionally defined by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. However, growing evidence suggests that this framework incompletely reflects the underlying neurobiology and clinical heterogeneity of the disorder, particularly in females. Current models of dopaminergic neurotransmission propose that ADHD is characterized not by simple dopamine deficiency but by dysregulation of tonic and phasic dopamine signaling. Theoretical models propose that reduced tonic dopamine activity may coexist with enhanced stimulus-dependent phasic responses in ADHD. Whether such signaling differences produce alternating states of underactivation and hyperactivation within the same individual has not been directly demonstrated and constitutes a central hypothesis of the present framework. In this narrative hypothesis paper, I examine evidence linking dopaminergic dysregulation to a broader ADHD phenotype encompassing four functional domains: energy regulation, attention allocation, behavioral activation, and emotional reactivity and awareness. Within these domains, hyperactivity and hypoactivity, inattention and hyperfocus, impulsive responding and difficulty initiating action, and emotional hyperreactivity and alexithymia are treated as potentially related manifestations rather than established psychometric opposites. Neuroimaging studies report alterations in dopamine transporter and receptor availability, while clinical and behavioral studies document associations between ADHD and different, sometimes contrasting manifestations within the proposed domains. Importantly, internally experienced manifestations such as emotional dysregulation, hypoactivity, procrastination, and hyperfocus appear particularly relevant to female presentations of ADHD. I propose that ADHD should be conceptualized as a multidimensional disorder of dopaminergic regulation. This framework may better explain phenotypic diversity, improve identification of underrecognized presentations, and guide future biomarker-driven and precision-medicine approaches to ADHD. Full article

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. This study used high-temporal-resolution event-related potentials (ERPs) to investigate visuospatial attention allocation across early perceptual and late cognitive control stages in 62 children and adolescents with ADHD and 62 typically developing (TD) controls (total N = 124), using a dual-task paradigm under a varying cognitive load. Behaviorally, the ADHD group showed significantly lower accuracy and marginally prolonged reaction times relative to TD controls. Electrophysiologically, the P2 component exhibited significant age effects, with shorter latency in the ADHD group than in the TD group under high load. N2 showed no significant group differences. The P3 component displayed significantly enhanced amplitude and prolonged latency in the ADHD group, especially under high load, indicating impaired late-stage cognitive control and working memory maintenance. These findings reveal that high-symptom (ADHD-screened) visuospatial attention deficits are more pronounced during late cognitive control stages; however, early perceptual processing also shows load-dependent alterations, with P3 abnormalities may represent candidate neural correlates of late-stage cognitive control deficits, although their clinical utility requires further evaluation. These results clarify the age-related patterns of attentional dysfunction in children and adolescents with ADHD and provide electrophysiological evidence for its neural mechanisms. Full article

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity, is associated with monoaminergic dysfunction, neuronal damage, and gut microbiota disorders. Low molecular weight fucoidan (LMWF) is a sulfated polysaccharide extracted from Saccharina japonica (Phaeophyta), processes antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties, suggesting its potential relevance for ADHD-related pathophysiology. This study investigated the therapeutic effects of LMWF on ADHD-like symptoms in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Behavioral tests revealed that LMWF reduced hyperactivity and anxiety-related behavior in the open field test, and improved spatial memory in the Morris water maze test. LMWF treatment significantly increased dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE), and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) levels in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). The transcript levels of tyrosine hydroxylase (Th) and synaptosome-associated protein-25 (Snap25) were upregulated, while dopamine transport (Dat) was downregulated in the PFC. TH protein expression was elevated in the striatum (STR), and neuronal integrity was preserved in the STR and cerebellum. LMWF also reshaped gut microbiota composition and enhanced microbial diversity, contributing to improved gut-brain axis homeostasis. These findings suggest that LMWF may serve as a promising dietary intervention for ADHD through neurochemical restoration and microbiota modulation. Full article

Background: Emotional dysregulation (ED) is increasingly recognized as a clinically relevant dimension of adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), yet its multidimensional structure and independent contribution beyond impulsivity and psychiatric comorbidity remain incompletely understood. This study aimed to characterize the profile of ED and its clinical correlates in a large, well-characterized clinical sample of adults with ADHD. Methods: In this cross-sectional observational study, 231 adults with a DSM-5 diagnosis of ADHD, confirmed through structured interview (DIVA 5), completed the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS). Associations between ED and ADHD presentation, psychiatric comorbidity, current substance use disorder (SUD), impulsivity (BIS-11), problematic internet use (IAT), camouflaging behaviors (CAT-Q), and clinical functioning were examined using independent-samples t-tests, Pearson correlation analyses, and multiple linear regression models. Results: Participants showed elevated emotional dysregulation relative to reference data. When DERS subscales were interpreted against Italian reference values, the largest elevation was observed for Clarity, followed by Goals, Nonacceptance, and Impulse, whereas Strategies showed a more modest elevation and Awareness was only slightly higher than the reference value. The combined ADHD presentation was associated with significantly greater dysregulation compared to the predominantly inattentive presentation. Higher DERS total scores were observed among participants with combined ADHD presentation, psychiatric comorbidity, and current SUD. DERS total score was positively correlated with current ADHD symptoms, retrospective childhood ADHD symptoms, depressive symptoms, state and trait anxiety, impulsivity, problematic internet use, and camouflaging behaviors, and negatively correlated with ADHD-related quality of life. In multiple regression models, current SUD, current ADHD symptoms, retrospective childhood ADHD symptoms, trait anxiety, and ADHD-related quality of life were independently associated with DERS total score. Conclusions: Emotional dysregulation in adult ADHD represents a clinically relevant affective dimension that is only partially accounted for by impulsivity and is closely associated with psychosocial impairment and maladaptive coping behaviors. These findings support an integrated affective–executive framework for the assessment and treatment of adult ADHD, with implications for targeted, skills-based interventions addressing emotional regulation across clinical subgroups. Full article

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental condition characterized by inattention, impulsivity, and executive dysfunction, which may influence both the risk and clinical course of sport-related concussion (SRC). This narrative review aimed to synthesize current evidence on the relationship between ADHD and SRC in athletic populations, with a focus on injury risk, symptom presentation, assessment challenges, and recovery trajectories. A targeted narrative review of the literature was conducted to synthesize current evidence on ADHD and sport-related concussion, with emphasis on literature published within the past 10 to 15 years. Studies were selected based on relevance to concussion risk, neurocognitive and symptom assessment, and recovery outcomes in athletes with ADHD, with priority given to methodologically rigorous research involving athletic populations. Available evidence suggests that athletes with ADHD are at an increased risk of SRC, with some studies reporting an approximately twofold increase, potentially due to impairments in inhibitory control and attention regulation. ADHD is also associated with elevated baseline symptom reporting, lower neurocognitive performance, and higher rates of invalid baseline testing, complicating post-injury assessment. Findings regarding recovery are mixed; however, emerging evidence indicates that ADHD may be associated with prolonged return-to-learn and return-to-sport timelines in some populations. Stimulant medication may influence risk and recovery, though results remain inconsistent. Overall, ADHD presents unique challenges in the clinical management of SRC, necessitating individualized, multidisciplinary approaches. Integrating neurocognitive and behavioral considerations into concussion protocols may improve diagnostic accuracy and optimize recovery in this population. Full article

Objectives: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder diagnosed during childhood, primarily characterized by continuous symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. The present study aimed to investigate the genetic association between polymorphisms in the serotonergic system-related genes, HTR1B and HTR2A, and the susceptibility to ADHD in a Korean sample. Methods: The study cohort consisted of 234 children diagnosed with ADHD and 1686 healthy controls. Clinical diagnosis was established based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV) criteria. Genetic analysis focused on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the serotonergic pathway: rs6296 in HTR1B, and three SNPs (rs6311, rs6313, and rs9534495) in HTR2A. Genotype and allele frequencies were analyzed using Chi-square tests. Risk estimates were calculated as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) across dominant, recessive, and additive inheritance models. Results: A statistically significant association was observed between the HTR2A rs9534495 polymorphism and ADHD. Specifically, significant associations were identified under the dominant (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.48–0.93, p = 0.017), recessive (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.48–0.93, p = 0.016), and additive (OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.65–1.00, p = 0.046) models. However, these significant findings did not persist after applying the Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. Conversely, no significant associations were detected for the HTR1B (rs6296) and the other HTR2A (rs6311, rs6313) polymorphisms. Conclusions: These findings suggest that genetic variations in the serotonergic system, particularly within the HTR2A gene, may contribute to the genetic susceptibility to ADHD. This study confirmed gene SNIPs associated with the serotonergic system in the pathophysiology of ADHD. Future research involving large-scale multi-ethnic cohorts, functional assays, and gene–environment interaction analyses is warranted to further elucidate the underlying mechanisms of serotonergic genes. Full article

Background/Objectives: Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), including obstructive sleep apnea, is common in children and is associated with mouth breathing, snoring, and neurobehavioral disturbances. In pediatric orthodontic patients, oral habits and craniofacial imbalances may contribute to airway dysfunction, making orthodontic evaluation a potential setting for early identification of SDB. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of SDB and to evaluate its associations with parent-reported behavioral symptom profiles in a cohort of pediatric orthodontic patients. Methods: A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted in 186 children aged 7–13 years attending orthodontic clinics in Oradea and Târgu Mureș, Romania. Parents completed a structured questionnaire on oral habits, the 22-item Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ), with SDB defined as 8 or more positive responses, and a parent-reported behavioral screening form assessing ADHD symptom subtypes, oppositional-defiant disorder (ODD), conduct disorder, and anxiety/depression. These behavioral outcomes were based on screening measures and were not intended as clinical psychiatric diagnoses. Associations were analyzed using chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests, and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed adjusting for age, sex, and weight status. Results: Mouth breathing was reported in 61.8% of participants, snoring in 26.9%, and SDB in 13.4%. Positive screens for ADHD-inattentive (p < 0.001), ADHD-hyperactive/impulsive (p < 0.001), ADHD-combined (p < 0.001), ODD (p < 0.001), and anxiety/depression (p < 0.001) were significantly more frequent among children with SDB. In multivariable analysis, SDB remained independently associated with ADHD-combined subtype (OR = 6.22), ADHD-hyperactive/impulsive symptoms (OR = 5.84), oppositional-defiant disorder (OR = 4.91), and anxiety/depression (OR = 4.38). Conclusions: SDB was identified in a meaningful proportion of pediatric orthodontic patients and was significantly associated with multiple screening-defined behavioral symptom domains. These findings support consideration of brief airway- and sleep-oriented screening during orthodontic assessment, particularly in school-aged children presenting with mouth breathing, snoring, or behavioral concerns. Given the cross-sectional and questionnaire-based design, the findings should be interpreted as associative and warrant confirmation in prospective studies using objective sleep measures. Full article

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, compounded by difficulties in emotional regulation, which have sparked growing interest due to their relationship with emotional intelligence (EI). Background/Objectives: The objective of this study was to analyze the effectiveness and characteristics of interventions aimed at developing EI in people diagnosed with ADHD. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA 2020 in the Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Dialnet, ERIC, and SpringerLink databases. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria and evaluating methodological quality, 31 studies were selected. Results: The evidence shows that children and adolescents with ADHD have lower levels of EI than the typically developing population, especially in emotional regulation, stress management, adaptability, and interpersonal skills. Interventions focused on emotional training have demonstrated improvements in emotional competencies, self-control, ADHD symptoms, and social functioning. However, variations are observed according to age, clinical subtype, the presence of comorbidities, and the type of informant, as well as heterogeneity in the assessment instruments used. Conclusions: Strengthening EI emerges as a promising complementary strategy for improving the emotional and social adaptation of people with ADHD. It is recommended to move toward longitudinal studies and more personalized interventions tailored to the clinical and developmental characteristics of the disorder. Full article

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that begins in childhood and may persist into adulthood, characterized by inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity leading to functional impairment. The global prevalence in children and adolescents ranges from 5–7%, yet data from the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia remain limited. This study determined the prevalence of hyperactive/impulsive and inattentive symptoms among children and adolescents aged 4–18 years and identified associated factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted across major cities using validated Arabic versions of the SNAP-IV and NICHQ Vanderbilt Assessment Scale distributed online. The survey assessed ADHD symptoms, oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, anxiety/depression, functional impairment, and prenatal and perinatal risk factors, with DSM-based scoring and multivariable logistic regression to identify predictors. Among 920 participants (mean age 10.7 years; 52.9% boys), 12.7% met criteria for ADHD. The inattentive subtype was most common, followed by combined and hyperactive/impulsive types. Affected children and adolescents showed academic and interpersonal difficulties. Significant predictors included younger age, birth weight <1.5 kg, psychiatric history, previous ADHD diagnosis, and family history of psychiatric or neurological disorders. ADHD symptoms were relatively common and associated with functional impairment and identifiable developmental and familial risk factors. Full article

Background: A child with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) faces two issues: inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. These two symptoms make the child’s life more challenging compared to non-ADHD individuals. Therefore, one of the steps toward better quality of life involves cooperation with and contact with the environment to better address this condition. Thanks to Artificial Intelligence (AI), doctors, caregivers, and parents are increasingly better able to understand the hardships these children face. One AI technique is Reinforcement Learning (RL). Methods: We propose an RL model simulation with 44 child agents with or without ADHD, using the Independent Deep Q Network (IDQN), Value Decomposition Network (VDN), and QMIX algorithms. Results: Comparing the results obtained with these three algorithms, children with ADHD find it more challenging to choose the maximum rewards than neurotypical children (395 at episode 300 for non-ADHD compared to 340 at episode 120 for ADHD using IDQN, 69 from episode 90 for ADHD compared to 82 for non-ADHD via VDN, and 31 at episode 110 for ADHD versus 28 at episode 110 for non-ADHD with QMIX). Conclusions: The simulated ADHD agents struggle to aim for the maximum rewards as much as neurotypical children. Full article

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that impair functioning across multiple situations. Despite extensive research on its clinical presentation, neurobiological substrates, genetic contributions, and environmental risk factors, ADHD remains a heterogeneous disorder with complex comorbidities. This narrative review synthesizes historical and contemporary transdiagnostic perspectives on the development of ADHD, describing models that emphasize shared etiological mechanisms and overlapping symptom dimensions across disorders. Full article

Objective: The current study tested (1) how ADHD symptoms and internalizing or externalizing problems covaried across ages 3–18 in children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), and (2) whether demographic and NF1-specific factors moderated the associations. Method: We analyzed integrated cross-sectional data of 685 observations from 455 children and adolescents with NF1 (M_age = 9.79 years, SD = 3.88; 43% female) across six institutions in the United States and Australia. ADHD symptoms (inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity) and internalizing/externalizing problems were assessed via parent-report measures. Time-varying effect modeling was employed to examine the age-specific associations between ADHD symptoms and internalizing/externalizing problems. Moderation analyses tested effects of sex, parental education, and NF1 inheritance mode (familial vs. sporadic). Results: Inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms were associated with greater internalizing and externalizing problems across ages 3–17. Inattention links were similar across ages, while the hyperactivity/impulsivity-externalizing link was stronger in early childhood than during adolescence. NF1 inheritance mode significantly moderated the inattention-externalizing link, with stronger associations observed among children with familial NF1. Other moderators were nonsignificant. Conclusions: ADHD symptoms are robustly linked to internalizing and externalizing problems from childhood to middle adolescence in children with NF1, with familial NF1 emerging as a potentially elevated risk factor. Future longitudinal and experimental research is needed to inform integrated intervention approaches, especially for those with familial NF1. Full article

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is found in both children and adults. While this disorder often continues in adulthood, diagnosis can be challenging, particularly in females. Unlike males, who are often diagnosed with ADHD due to their externalizing behaviors (i.e., impulsive nature), most females show inattentive symptoms (i.e., in focusing, disorganization), which makes this disorder hard to detect. This paper proposes a machine learning approach to detect ADHD among females. The Wids Datathon 2025 provides three datasets: categorical data, quantitative data, and function connectomes. It contains information on 1213 participants who are seeking to take a test to detect ADHD. Categorical data includes 10 attributes, quantitative data has 19 attributes, and functional connectomes contain 19,901 attributes which are relevant to studying the participants’ overall condition. By combining both XGBoost and Random Forest, an accuracy of 79.42% was achieved. The results show that machine learning algorithms can help in improving ADHD detection in females, leading to better diagnoses in future. Full article

Background: Previous research has linked opioid use disorder (OUD) to neuronal reward systems and impulsivity. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of COMT rs4680 Val158Met polymorphism on impulsivity, hyperactivity and inattention (IHI) in patients with OUD. Methods: Open-label, cross-sectional cohort study was conducted involving individuals, 18 to 65 years, with OUD who either were included in opioid agonist treatment (OAT)—or same group of individuals who were awaiting induction on extended-release naltrexone (XR-NTX). Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale 18-item version was used to score IHI, and saliva samples were collected for genotyping (TaqMan assays). Logistic regression models were used to analyze the data. Results: The data of the entire cohort (n = 206) showed that carriers of one or two Val alleles had a negative association with IHI compared to Met/Met carriers (Val/Met OR = 0.43, p-value = 0.017, and Val/Val OR = 0.29, p-value = 0.005). Individuals included in OAT not waiting for XR-NTX (n = 120) exhibited the same pattern as observed in the entire cohort (Val/Met OR = 0.33, p-value = 0.019, and Val/Val OR = 0.18, p-value = 0.004), but not those who chose XR-NTX (Val/Met OR = 0.60, p-value = 0.353, and Val/Val OR = 0.47, p-value = 2.779). Conclusions: The present study revealed that individuals with OUD carrying the COMT rs4680 Val allele had lower IHI scores than Met/Met carriers. Hence, in individuals with OUD, the COMT rs4680 Met allele is associated with higher IHI symptom burden. Full article