ADHD: The bane of our lives.

[Jonn]

Huge ADHD breakthrough reveals best treatment for condition after thousands take part in trial​

The most comprehensive study of its kind has revealed that medication is more effective than talking therapy and brain stimulation in treating adults with ADHD. The research found that the best management for ADHD symptoms appears to be stimulant drugs and atomoxetine.

MSN

 

[Outdated]

That's good news, and ties in well with what a lot of people with ADHD keep saying. It seems someone finally listened. Do please take note of the word of caution though:

The lead researchers of a significant study have urged caution, as their work on average effects suggests not all treatments may be beneficial for everyone. Dr Edoardo Ostinelli of the University of Oxford explains: "We focused on average effect sizes, average performance of interventions, and especially for pharmacological treatments.

 

[Jonn]

People with ADHD benefit more from exercising at a specific time of the day, claims therapist​

The lack of focus and concentration in people with ADHD is treated with stimulants that increase the level of brain chemicals to mitigate issues associated with the mental health condition.


Although there isn’t enough evidence to prove that coffee can have the same effect as ADHD medication in the long run as claims on social media suggest, there is a more reasonable solution.

Exercise helps people with ADHD focus better​

People with ADHD struggle with routines. That’s why the said mental health condition makes it harder to throw away things that aren’t of any use leading to hoarding behavior.


However, following certain strategies can be extremely useful in setting up a routine, including regular morning exercise, highly recommended by licensed therapist Kati Morton.

“Working out first thing in the morning is a powerful way of setting yourself up for success,” she says. Although staying generally active benefits your mental and physical health, morning exercises are particularly effective on ADHD brains.

Not only does sweating it out in the morning help “burn off the hyperactive energy”, but it also gives your brain a “boost”, which is essential to remain focused throughout the day.


Exercising is known to release feel-good chemicals such as dopamine and endorphins – the same neurotransmitters ADHD medications or stimulants target.


Working out in the morning feeds the ADHD brain the neurotransmitters it thrives on, thus keeping you productive through the day.

MSN

 

[Raggamuffin]

Interesting use of the term breakthrough, considering the history of stimulant use for treating ADHD:

1937: Dr. Charles Bradley observed that children with ADHD symptoms responded well to Benzedrine, a stimulant

1944: Methylphenidate was first made, and in 1954 it was marketed as Ritalin

1976: Dextroamphetamine sulfate and Dexedrine were approved to treat ADHD

1984: Amphetamine sulfate was approved to treat ADHD

2001: Dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride and mixed amphetamine salts were approved to treat ADHD

2002: Strattera (atomoxetine), the first non-stimulant medication, was approved to treat ADHD


It's long been known that stimulants are highly effective in treating symptoms of ADHD, up to 70-80% effective in the ADHD population. The flipside being that long term stimulant use is terrible for the heart.

Having tried them, and succumb to nasty side effects that overshadowed any benefits from the medication, I will stick to my coffee, and gym x3 a week.

Ed

 

[Boogs]

Maybe the more interesting aspect is the relatively low effectiveness of none-pharmaceutical therapies?

 

[Jonn]

Ritalin on the road: ADHD drug methylphenidate improves driving performance​

A recent study conducted in Australia found that a 10 mg dose of methylphenidate improved participants’ driving performance in a simulated driving task. The medication reduced lane weaving and speed variation, while eye movements remained almost unaffected. The research was published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, which adversely impacts daily functioning. It is most often diagnosed at the start of school, as these symptoms are considered disruptive in the classroom context. ADHD symptoms can persist into adulthood, leading to detrimental consequences in various areas of life.


In adulthood, ADHD symptoms can significantly impair driving performance. Individuals with ADHD may struggle to sustain attention, manage distractions, and inhibit inappropriate responses. This can lead to difficulties such as missing road signs, reacting slowly to hazards, or engaging in impulsive driving behaviors like speeding or risky overtaking.


One medication widely used to treat ADHD is methylphenidate. It works by increasing levels of the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, thereby enhancing focus, attention, and impulse control. While generally effective, methylphenidate can cause side effects such as insomnia, decreased appetite, and increased heart rate.

MSN

 

[Misty Avich]

I quite like having ADHD. It's just a shame I wasn't diagnosed with ADHD sooner, like at school-age, because then I might have understood more about myself a bit.

I'm reluctant to take any meds for ADHD in case it numbs the symptoms that make me who I am, or might even numb my good social skills and make me appear autistic or robotic or something. I can't take that chance.

 

[Jonn]

Dopamine neurons’ sensitivity to immune system gene offers clues to hyperactivity and behavioral disorders​

If you are a mouse, (or a rat), this may be of profound interest to you:

Researchers at Duke Health have uncovered a connection between an immune system gene regulator, STAT1, and hyperactive behaviors in mice. Their study, published in the journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, demonstrates how prolonged activation of this gene regulator in dopamine neurons disrupts brain function, suggesting a potential link to neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and ADHD. These findings highlight a possible therapeutic target for addressing these conditions.

The researchers used genetically modified mice with a STAT1 mutation to simulate prolonged activation of the gene. These mice were bred at Duke Health in collaboration with Columbia University. The STAT1 mutation was introduced into specific brain cell types, including dopamine neurons, to investigate its effects. Dopamine neurons were chosen because of their critical role in regulating motivation, motor control, learning, and reward processing.

The study found that prolonged activation of STAT1 in dopamine neurons significantly altered the behavior and brain function of mice. Mice with this genetic modification exhibited hyperactive tendencies, as evidenced by increased movement in the open field test and less immobility in the tail suspension test. These behaviors suggest a heightened level of activity compared to their unmodified counterparts.

In addition to hyperactivity, the mice demonstrated repetitive and compulsive actions. This was observed in the marble burying test, where the modified mice buried more marbles within the set timeframe. Such behavior points to increased compulsivity, often linked to neurodevelopmental abnormalities.

On a neurological level, the researchers noted changes in the caudate putamen—part of the brain’s basal ganglia and a critical region for learning, memory, motivation, and motor control. This brain region showed both a reduction in neuron count and lower neural activity in the affected mice, emphasizing the role of dopamine signaling in these behavioral patterns.

The study provides new insight into link between the immune system and brain function. But like all research, it has some limitations. The results were derived from mice, and their applicability to humans remains uncertain. Human brains are more complex, and additional studies are needed to confirm these findings in people.

MSN

I am sure all the mice in "Life, the Universe, and Everything", will appreciate the insights gained from this particular research.
May it continue in Ernest...

Spoiler: joke

...who is the next mouse test subject in the trials...

 

[Jonn]

Studies find time-release medication keeps adults with ADHD on track, lowers substance use risk​

Adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who use an extended-release medication are more likely to continue the treatment and have a lower risk of developing substance use disorder, according to two West Virginia University studies.


"There is a lot of information about childhood and adolescent ADHD, but very few talk about adult ADHD," said Abdullah Al-Mamun, a data scientist and assistant professor in the WVU School of Pharmacy Department of Pharmaceutical Systems and Policy. "It's a behavioral disease which can be always treated. You just have to take your medications regularly. If you don't, symptoms become more aggravated and other symptoms like depression, substance use, etc. are likely to develop."

The disease is usually diagnosed in childhood—marked by lack of focus, ignoring social rules and fidgeting—and may last into adulthood. However, it can also initially develop in adults, and symptoms differ from those in children to include impulsiveness, excessive activity or restlessness and low frustration tolerance.

"Patients with adult ADHD often forget things or feel misunderstood which makes them experience agitations and they may be short-tempered," Al-Mamun explained. "Medications can help, but if they're not taking them it can become like a spider web. When they get frustrated and people don't understand why, they become more frustrated."

He also added those reactions could lead to depression or the use of addicting substances, a trend he found to be on the rise while analyzing West Virginia toxicology data for another project.

"I saw that there are a lot of people in the adult ADHD population dying because of drug overdose," he said. "That's what made me think about doing the second study to see what their risks of developing substance use disorder are."

MSN