A startling study conducted by Rutgers University has discovered that adults diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are nearly three times more susceptible to developing dementia compared to those without the disorder. The study emphasizes the need for greater scrutiny of ADHD symptoms in the aging population and a deeper investigation into potential treatments that could alleviate this risk.
The research was spearheaded by Rutgers scholars who delved into the association between ADHD and the heightened risk of dementia, while exploring the efficacy of ADHD treatment in mitigating these risks.
According to the Rutgers study, which was co-authored by Michal Schnaider Beeri, director of the Herbert and Jacqueline Krieger Klein Alzheimer’s Research Center at Rutgers Brain Health Institute (BHI), the research followed over 100,000 senior citizens in Israel for a span of 17 years. The primary aim was to evaluate whether individuals with ADHD are more susceptible to dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.
Even though ADHD is prevalent in over 3 percent of the American adult population, comprehensive research on this demographic remains scant.
Michal Schnaider Beeri, who also holds the Krieger Klein Endowed Chair in Neurodegeneration Research at BHI and serves as a faculty member of the Rutgers Institute for Health, Health Care Policy, and Aging Research, indicated that this study could provide essential insights for clinicians and caregivers. It aims to identify whether adults with ADHD are at an elevated risk for dementia and whether medical and lifestyle interventions could mitigate these risks.
Table of Contents
Research Outcomes and Their Consequential Ramifications
The research utilized data from a nationwide cohort study, incorporating more than 100,000 participants tracked from 2003 to 2020. The analysis encompassed individuals both with and without ADHD and scrutinized the incidence rates of dementia in these respective groups over time. The results showed that the existence of ADHD in adults was significantly correlated with a heightened risk for developing dementia, even when other contributing factors like cardiovascular conditions were considered.
Researchers posited that adult ADHD could manifest as a neurological condition that impairs the individual’s capacity to offset the consequences of cognitive decline in later stages of life.
Abraham Reichenberg, a professor at the Department of Psychiatry at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and the senior author of the paper, advised that healthcare professionals working with older populations should keep a vigilant eye on ADHD symptoms and associated medication regimes.
Stephen Levine, a professor at the School of Public Health at the University of Haifa, stressed that symptoms of ADHD in the elderly should not be dismissed but rather discussed with medical professionals.
Suggested Treatments and Future Research Trajectories
The study also conjectured that treatments for ADHD, particularly those involving psychostimulants, might prove beneficial in reducing the risk of dementia in adults who have been diagnosed with ADHD. These psychostimulants have been known to alter the course of cognitive impairment. Nonetheless, researchers advocated that subsequent studies should be conducted to rigorously evaluate the influence of medications on ADHD patients and their potential risk of developing dementia.
Reference
The study, entitled “Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and the Risk of Dementia,” was co-authored by Stephen Z. Levine, Anat Rotstein, Arad Kodesh, Sven Sandin, Brian K. Lee, Galit Weinstein, Michal Schnaider Beeri, and Abraham Reichenberg, and was published on October 17, 2023, in JAMA Network Open. DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.38088
Additional contributors to the research include Anat Rotstein and Galit Weinstein from the University of Haifa; Arad Kodesh from the University of Haifa and Meuhedet Health Services; Sven Sandin from the Department of Psychiatry at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and Karolinska Institutet in Sweden; and Brian Lee from Drexel University.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about ADHD and Dementia Risk
What is the main finding of the Rutgers University study on ADHD and dementia?
The primary finding of the Rutgers University study is that adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are almost three times more likely to develop dementia compared to adults without ADHD.
Who led the research and where was it published?
The research was led by Michal Schnaider Beeri, director of the Herbert and Jacqueline Krieger Klein Alzheimer’s Research Center at Rutgers Brain Health Institute. The study was published in JAMA Network Open on October 17, 2023.
How many participants were involved in the study?
The study followed more than 100,000 older adults in Israel over a period of 17 years.
Is ADHD common in the adult population?
Yes, more than 3 percent of the adult population in the United States has ADHD. However, there is limited research focusing on this group, particularly concerning the risk of developing dementia.
What are the implications of this study for healthcare professionals?
The study emphasizes the importance for healthcare providers to monitor ADHD symptoms in older adults. It also highlights the need for further research on medical and lifestyle interventions that could reduce the dementia risk in adults with ADHD.
Are there potential treatments that could mitigate the risk of dementia in adults with ADHD?
The study suggests that ADHD treatment, particularly those involving psychostimulants, might be effective in reducing the risk of developing dementia. However, more research is needed to confirm these findings.
What are the other contributing factors to dementia considered in this study?
The research took into account other risk factors for dementia, such as cardiovascular conditions, when analyzing the increased susceptibility to dementia among adults with ADHD.
What is the scope for future research based on this study?
The study calls for more in-depth research to evaluate the efficacy of medical treatments on ADHD patients and their potential risk for developing dementia. It also stresses the need for greater attention to ADHD symptoms in the aging population.
More about ADHD and Dementia Risk
- Rutgers University Study on ADHD and Dementia
- Rutgers Brain Health Institute
- JAMA Network Open
- Rutgers Institute for Health, Health Care Policy, and Aging Research
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Department of Psychiatry
- University of Haifa School of Public Health
- Drexel University
- Karolinska Institutet in Sweden
- Meuhedet Health Services
- ADHD in Adults
- Understanding Dementia
- Psychostimulant Treatments for ADHD
7 comments
i have ADHD and I’m not sure how to feel about this. it’s unsettling but at least its making people pay attention. more studies needed ASAP.
This is alarming! My son has ADHD and it’s concerning to think that it could have long term effects like dementia. Definitely keeping an eye on this research.
My husband’s been diagnosed with ADHD. How come doctors aren’t talking about this? Kinda feels like we’re left in the dark here.
That’s some heavy stuff. I guess health issues are more interconnected than we thought. Makes me wonder what other conditions might be linked.
As someone who has ADHD, this hits close to home. I’d love to see what kind of treatments they could come up with. but yeah, more research is needed for sure.
Mind-blowing. Just shows how much we still have to learn about the human brain. Would be interesting to see how lifestyle changes can mitigate risks, not just meds.
Wow, never thought ADHD could be linked to dementia. This is pretty groundbreaking and kinda scary. we need more studies like this to figure out what’s goin on.