Researchers behind the new study followed more than 100,000 adults in Israel over 17 years. From 2003–2020. They did this to investigate whether adults with ADHD have an increased risk of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. And the findings show that the risk is significantly higher – almost three times as great. – Symptoms of attention deficit and hyperactivity in old age should not be ignored, says Stephen Levine in a press release. He is a professor at the University of Haifa. The new study is published in the journal Jama Network Open. Thinks the study is important – It is important because it shows a very clear connection between ADHD and dementia, and because it focuses on those who are diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood. So says Geir Selbæk, professor and head of research at the National Center for Aging and Health. – I don’t think it is necessarily ADHD in itself that causes dementia. But there are things linked to the condition ADHD that can increase the risk of dementia. Selbæk says people with ADHD often have illnesses and a lifestyle that increases the risk. Among other things, they more often have cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity. In addition, they often have less education, suffer more frequent head injuries, drink more alcohol and smoke more. Geir Selbæk is head of research at the National Center for Aging and Health. Photo: Martin Lundsvoll / Martin Lundsvoll Have faith in medication Characteristics of adults with ADHD can be that they have problems prioritizing, that they are easily distracted and have problems starting and finishing tasks. They can also be restless. In the US, more than 3 percent of the adult population has the condition, but not much research has been conducted on this particular group. – By determining whether adults with ADHD are at higher risk of dementia, and whether medication or lifestyle changes can affect the risk, the results of this research can be used to inform carers and professionals. That’s what Michal Schnaider Beeri says. He is a director and researches, among other things, Alzheimer’s disease. He has also contributed to the new study. The researchers took into account various factors such as age, gender, socio-economic status, smoking and other health conditions. They then found that people who were diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood had a 2.77 times greater risk of being diagnosed with dementia. In addition, the research suggests that ADHD treatment, which includes psychostimulants, may help reduce the risk. These medications are known to help prevent cognitive decline. – A point that many have been concerned about is whether medication used for ADHD can increase the risk of dementia. This study does not indicate that, and it is an important finding, says Selbæk at the National Center for Aging and Health. Facts about ADHD ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It is common to divide ADHD into three subgroups: ADHD mainly hyperactive/impulsive type. ADHD mainly inattentive type. ADHD combined type – inattentive, impulsive and hyperactive. Most people who receive an ADHD diagnosis have a combined type. ADHD is a relatively common diagnosis among children and young people in Norway. It is common to have other psychiatric diagnoses or developmental disorders in addition. Anxiety and depression are the most common. Large regional differences indicate different practices in the assessment and diagnosis of ADHD. Better and more uniform routines for diagnosis and registration in the specialist health service will provide a more reliable basis for analyzes of the state of health in Norway when it comes to ADHD. Sources: Folkehelseinstituttet (Report 2016:4) ADHD Norway ADHD Norway is a nationwide voluntary organization for people with ADHD and their relatives. More adults are being diagnosed According to another new study, which was also published in October, a new estimate shows that the global incidence of ADHD in adults suggests that the condition may be more common than thought. An international group of researchers examined 57 different studies with a total of 21 million participants. They found that approximately 180 million adults probably have ADHD. The organization ADHD Norway also writes on its website that in recent years there has been an increase in the number of inquiries from adults who suspect they have the diagnosis. New figures from FHI also show that more young girls and women between the ages of 16 and 24 have been diagnosed with a form of ADHD. Now the researchers behind the dementia study hope that in the future there can be more focus on what the effect of medication can mean for adults with ADHD. And whether such medicines can help reduce the risk of developing dementia.
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Adults with ADHD have an increased risk of developing dementia, new research shows – news Trøndelag – Local news, TV and radio
