A recent study conducted by Rutgers University has shed light on a concerning link between Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and dementia risk in adults.
The study, published in JAMA Network Open, was co-authored by Michal Schnaider Beeri, Director of the Herbert and Jacqueline Krieger Klein Alzheimer’s Research Center at Rutgers Brain Health Institute.
It tracked over 100,000 older adults in Israel for 17 years to investigate whether adults with ADHD face an elevated risk of developing dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. The findings revealed that adults with ADHD are nearly three times more likely to develop dementia than those without ADHD.
The Understudied ADHD Population
Despite more than 3% of adults in the United States having ADHD, limited research has focused on this specific group.
The study aimed to bridge this gap in understanding and provide insights into the potential link between ADHD and dementia.
Key Findings
The study utilized data from a national cohort of over 100,000 individuals, monitoring them from 2003 to 2020. Researchers analyzed both ADHD and non-ADHD groups, examining the occurrence of dementia as they aged. The findings were significant:
Increased Dementia Risk: Adults with ADHD faced a significantly higher risk of dementia, even when considering other dementia risk factors, such as cardiovascular conditions. The presence of ADHD nearly tripled the likelihood of developing dementia.
Neurological Process Hypothesis: Researchers suggested that ADHD in adults might manifest as a neurological process that diminishes their ability to compensate for cognitive decline later in life.
This phenomenon could contribute to the elevated dementia risk observed in the ADHD group.
Clinical Implications
The study’s implications extend to clinical practice and caregiving:
Monitoring ADHD Symptoms: Physicians, clinicians, and caregivers working with older adults should actively monitor ADHD symptoms, especially in those with a history of the condition.
Discussion with Healthcare Providers: Symptoms of attention deficit and hyperactivity in older age should not be disregarded and must be discussed with healthcare providers.
Potential Role of Medications
The research also suggests a potential role for medications in mitigating dementia risk in adults with ADHD, particularly those incorporating psychostimulants.
Psychostimulants are known to influence the trajectory of cognitive impairment. However, the study noted that future research should delve deeper into the impact of medications on patients with ADHD and how they may affect dementia risk.
Conclusion
The Rutgers University study underscores the heightened risk of dementia among adults with ADHD, emphasizing the need for increased awareness and vigilance among healthcare providers and caregivers.
Understanding this link can help inform treatment approaches and strategies for mitigating dementia risk in this vulnerable population.
Further exploration into the potential benefits of medications in reducing dementia risk in adults with ADHD could open avenues for more targeted and effective interventions in the future.
If you care about dementia, please read studies about low choline intake linked to higher dementia risk, and how eating nuts can affect your cognitive ability.
For more information about brain health, please read studies about how the Mediterranean diet could protect your brain health, and Omega-3 fats and carotenoid supplements could improve memory.
The research findings can be found in JAMA Network Open.
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