Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder as a risk factor for dementia and mild cognitive impairment: a population-based register study

BackgroundAttention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) increases the risk of suicidal behaviours through psychiatric comorbidities; however, a significant direct association has not been observed between ADHD and suicide attempts.AimsTo evaluate the risk of suicide attempt in adolescents and young adults with ADHD.MethodUsing a nationwide, population-based insurance claims database, this longitudinal cohort study enrolled 20 574 adolescents and young adults with ADHD and 61 722 age- and gender-matched controls between 2001 and 2009. Any suicide attempt was identified from enrolment to 31 December 2011. The association between ADHD medications and the likelihood of suicide attempt was assessed.ResultsADHD was an independent risk factor for any suicide attempt (hazard ratio = 3.84, 95% CI = 3.19–4.62) and repeated suicide attempts (hazard ratio = 6.52, 95% CI = 4.46–9.53). Subgroup analyses of men, women, adolescents and young adults demonstrated the same trend. Methylphenidate or atomoxetine treatment did not increase the risk of suicide attempt or repeated suicide attempts. Long-term methylphenidate treatment was associated with a significantly decreased risk of repeated suicide attempts in men (hazard ratio = 0.46, 95% CI = 0.22–0.97).ConclusionADHD was a risk factor for suicide attempt and a stronger predictor of repeated suicide attempts, independent of comorbidities. Further investigation is warranted to explore the mechanism underlying the association between ADHD and suicidal behaviours.Declaration of interestNone.

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Mild Cognitive Impairment or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Older Adults? A Cross Sectional Study

Frontiers in Psychiatry ◽

10.3389/fpsyt.2021.737357 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Felippe Mendonca ◽

Felipe Kenji Sudo ◽

Gustavo Santiago-Bravo ◽

Natalia Oliveira ◽

Naima Assuncao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Older Individuals ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Age Related

Background: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a highly prevalent neurodevelopmental condition, which may be associated with life-enduring cognitive dysfunction. It has been hypothesized that age-related cognitive decline may overlap with preexisting deficits in older ADHD patients, leading to increased problems to manage everyday-life activities. This phenomenon may mimic neurodegenerative disorders, in particular Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). This cross-sectional study aims to assess cognitive and behavioral differences between older subjects with ADHD and MCI.Methods: A total of 107 older participants (41 controls; 40 MCI and 26 ADHD; mean age = 67.60 ± 7.50 years; mean schooling = 15.14 ± 2.77 years; 65.4% females) underwent clinical, cognitive, and behavioral assessments by a multidisciplinary team at the Memory Clinic, D'Or Institute for Research and Education, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Mean scores in neuropsychological tasks and behavioral scales were compared across groups.Results: Participants with ADHD showed poorer performances than controls in episodic memory and executive function with large effect-sizes. Performances were comparable between MCI and ADHD for all domains.Discussion: MCI and ADHD in older individuals are dissociated clinical entities with overlapping cognitive profiles. Clinicians ought to be aware of these converging phenotypes to avoid misdiagnosis.

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Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Older Adults: Prevalence and Possible Connections to Mild Cognitive Impairment

Current Psychiatry Reports ◽

10.1007/s11920-012-0305-8 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 14 (5) ◽

pp. 552-560 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Nikki Ivanchak ◽

Kristen Fletcher ◽

Gregory A. Jicha

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder

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Distinct Cognitive and Neuroimaging Profiles in Later-Life Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Mild Cognitive Impairment

10.21203/rs.3.rs-91495/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Brandy L. Callahan ◽

Nayani Ramakrishnan ◽

Prathiba Shammi ◽

Daniel Bierstone ◽

Rebecca Taylor ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Later Life ◽

Imaging Features ◽

Semantic Retrieval ◽

Structural Neuroimaging ◽

Diagnostic Uncertainty ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract Background: Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is increasingly being recognized in adults and older adults. Some of its behavioral features (e.g., distractibility, forgetfulness, impulsivity) may resemble those of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which contributes to diagnostic uncertainty in later life. The present study aimed to systematically compare ADHD and MCI on measures of cognition and structural neuroimaging to clarify the extent of their overlap (i.e., cognitive features of ADHD that are most likely to be taken for signs of MCI) and identify potential features unique to each disorder (i.e., that may be used to guide diagnostic impressions). Methods: One hundred and six adults aged 50 years or above were recruited from a Cognitive Neurology clinic (40 ADHD, 29 MCI and 37 controls) completed a comprehensive neuropsychological battery. A subsample (n=80) underwent structural neuroimaging.Results: Memory was impaired in both patient groups, but reflected a storage deficit in MCI (supported by imaging findings of reduced hippocampal volumes) and an encoding deficit in ADHD (supported by frontal-lobe cortical thinning). Both groups performed normally on executive measures. Semantic retrieval was uniquely impaired in MCI.Conclusions: Behavioral and structural imaging features strongly suggest that ADHD and MCI are similar manifestations of separate pathophysiological processes. Although ADHD has been proposed as a risk factor or prodromal stage of neurodegeneration, we propose it is rather acting as a phenotypic mimic of MCI via overlap in memory and executive performance.

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LEAP Motion Technology and Psychology: A Mini-Review on Hand Movements Sensing for Neurodevelopmental and Neurocognitive Disorders

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18084006 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (8) ◽

pp. 4006

Author(s):

Giulia Colombini ◽

Mirko Duradoni ◽

Federico Carpi ◽

Laura Vagnoli ◽

Andrea Guazzini

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Virtual Reality ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Leap Motion ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder

Technological advancement is constantly evolving, and it is also developing in the mental health field. Various applications, often based on virtual reality, have been implemented to carry out psychological assessments and interventions, using innovative human–machine interaction systems. In this context, the LEAP Motion sensing technology has raised interest, since it allows for more natural interactions with digital contents, via an optical tracking of hand and finger movements. Recent research has considered LEAP Motion features in virtual-reality-based systems, to meet specific needs of different clinical populations, varying in age and type of disorder. The present paper carried out a systematic mini-review of the available literature using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The inclusion criteria were (i) publication date between 2013 and 2020, (ii) being an empirical study or project report, (iii) written in English or Italian languages, (iv) published in a scholarly peer-reviewed journal and/or conference proceedings, and (v) assessing LEAP Motion intervention for four specific psychological domains (i.e., autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, dementia, and mild cognitive impairment), objectively. Nineteen eligible empirical studies were included. Overall, results show that protocols for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder can promote psychomotor and psychosocial rehabilitation in contexts that stimulate learning. Moreover, virtual reality and LEAP Motion seem promising for the assessment and screening of functional abilities in dementia and mild cognitive impairment. As evidence is, however, still limited, deeper investigations are needed to assess the full potential of the LEAP Motion technology, possibly extending its applications. This is relevant, considering the role that virtual reality could have in overcoming barriers to access assessment, therapies, and smart monitoring.

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