ADHD

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a developmental disorder characterized by distractibility, hyperactivity, impulsive behaviors, and the inability to remain focused on tasks or activities.

ADHD linked to social and economic status

ADHD linked to social and economic disadvantage — Scientists have found evidence of a link between social and economic status and childhood attention deficit disorder in the UK – Scientists have found evidence of a link between social and economic status and childhood attention deficit disorder (ADHD) in the UK. A team led by the University of Exeter Medical School analysed data from the Millennium Cohort Study, a database of more than 19,500 UK children born between 2000 and 2002.

Mercury exposure in pregnant women connected to ADHD in children

Low-level mercury exposure in pregnant women connected to ADHD risk in children — Researchers advise women to consider both benefits and risks of eating fish while pregnant – ADHD or Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder affects approximately ten percent of children worldwide, yet its causes are not well understood. Now, a study led by Susan Korrick, MD, MPH, of Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH), and Sharon Sagiv, PhD, MPH, of Boston University School of Public Health, and published in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, links low-level prenatal mercury exposure with a greater risk of ADHD-related behaviors.

4 times cancer rate in children with juvenile arthritis

Cancer rate 4 times higher in children with juvenile arthritis — Increase not necessarily linked to arthritis treatments, including TNF inhibitors – New research reports that incident malignancy among children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is four times higher than in those without the disease. Findings suggest JIA treatment, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, does not necessarily explain the development of cancer in this pediatric population.

Gestational diabetes and poverty increased ADHD risk in offspring

Gestational diabetes and low socioeconomic status raise risk of ADHD in children – Low socioeconomic status (SES) and maternal gestational diabetes together may cause a 14-fold increased risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in six year olds, revealed by researchers.

10% of ADHD patients linked to GMR gene variants

New gene study of ADHD points to defects in brain signaling pathways — Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia research suggests that interventions at the glutamate transmission level might treat ADHD disorder – Pediatric researchers analyzing genetic influences in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have found alterations in specific genes involved in important brain signaling pathways.

Children with ADHD may have functional brain pathways disrupted

Functional brain pathways disrupted in children with ADHD – Some abnormalities in the brains of children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may serve as a biomarker for the disorder, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

Age for diagnosis and treatment of ADHD in children expands 4 to 18

AAP expands ages for diagnosis and treatment of ADHD in children — New ADHD guidelines: Kids as young as 4 can be diagnosed – Now it possible to diagnose and manage ADHD in children from ages 4 to 18 (the previous AAP guidelines, from 2000 and 2001, covered children ages 6 to 12). The new guidelines describe the special considerations involved in diagnosing and treating preschool children and adolescents.

Bipolar symptoms and emotional brain in youth

The emotional brain in youth – How to diagnose and treat bipolar symptoms and mood disorders in children and adolescents – Recognition of bipolar symptoms and bipolar disorder in adolescents is now clearly established. However, whether bipolarity exists in children remains controversial despite numerous studies that have been conducted on this topic in the last fifteen years.

Brain development linked to symptoms of ADHD

Brain imaging study of preschoolers with ADHD detects brain differences linked to symptoms — Smaller brain volumes associated with severity of ADHD symptoms – Brain development appear to play an important role among children presenting with early onset symptoms of ADHD (Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder). Researchers found reduced caudate volumes in affected children compared to the children who did not present with ADHD symptoms.