A new study has found that a widely used blood pressure medicine may also help treat symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, commonly known as ADHD. This surprising discovery could offer a new and more accessible option for people who struggle with this condition, especially those who do not respond well to current treatments.
ADHD is a condition that affects both children and adults. It is usually linked to problems with attention, impulsive behavior, and high levels of activity. People with ADHD may find it hard to focus, stay organized, or control their actions.
While there are medicines available, such as stimulant drugs, they do not work for everyone and can cause side effects like poor sleep, headaches, loss of appetite, and increased blood pressure.
Because of these challenges, scientists have been searching for better and safer treatment options. In this new international study, researchers from the University of Surrey and other institutions explored whether existing medicines could be used in new ways.
This approach is called “drug repurposing,” and it can save time because the safety of these drugs is already well understood.
The researchers focused on a drug called amlodipine, which is commonly used to treat high blood pressure. It has been safely used by millions of people for many years. The study, published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology, aimed to see whether this medicine could also affect brain activity linked to ADHD.
To begin, the scientists tested several drugs in rats that were specially bred to show behaviors similar to ADHD. These animals tend to be very active and impulsive, making them useful for studying the condition. Out of the five drugs tested, only amlodipine showed a clear effect. It significantly reduced hyperactivity in the rats.
To strengthen their findings, the researchers also carried out experiments using zebrafish. Although they are small, zebrafish are often used in brain research because they share many genetic features with humans.
In these tests, amlodipine again showed positive effects. It not only reduced hyperactivity but also helped control impulsive behavior, which is another key feature of ADHD.
One of the most important findings of the study was that amlodipine can cross the blood-brain barrier. This barrier protects the brain by blocking many substances from entering it.
Not all drugs can pass through it, but amlodipine was shown to do so. This means it can directly affect brain function, which is essential for treating conditions like ADHD. This was the first time this effect had been clearly demonstrated for this drug.
The team also looked at human genetic data to better understand how the drug might work. They found that ADHD is linked to certain calcium channels in the brain. These channels play a role in how brain cells send signals. Interestingly, amlodipine targets these same channels, suggesting that it may help regulate brain activity in people with ADHD.
In addition, the researchers reviewed patient data from across the United Kingdom. They found that people who were already taking amlodipine for blood pressure tended to report fewer mood swings and less risky behavior. These findings support the idea that the drug may have a positive effect on behavior and emotional control.
Dr. Matthew Parker, one of the study’s authors from the University of Surrey, explained that using an existing drug could speed up the process of developing new treatments. Since amlodipine is already approved and widely used, it may be possible to move more quickly into clinical trials for ADHD. This could help patients gain access to new treatment options sooner.
This research is especially important because many people with ADHD do not benefit from current medications. In fact, about one in four patients do not respond well to available treatments. For these individuals, having more options could make a significant difference in their daily lives.
Although the results are promising, more research is needed, especially studies involving human participants. Clinical trials will be necessary to confirm how effective and safe amlodipine is for treating ADHD symptoms in people. However, the early findings offer hope and suggest that a familiar medicine could play a new role in mental health care.
Overall, this study highlights the value of looking at existing medicines in new ways. By doing so, scientists may be able to find faster and safer solutions for complex conditions like ADHD, helping more people manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
If you care about blood pressure, please read studies about unhealthy habits that could increase high blood pressure risk, and people with severe high blood pressure should reduce coffee intake.
For more information about blood pressure, please see recent studies that early time-restricted eating could help improve blood pressure, and results showing plant-based foods could benefit people with high blood pressure.
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