Adults with ADHD face higher risk of dementia

Adults with ADHD, formally known as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) face an alarming threefold increase in their dementia risk compared to those without ADHD, reveals a Rutgers study

A recent study, published in JAMA Network Open and co-authored by Michal Schnaider Beeri from Rutgers Brain Health Institute, demonstrates that adults with ADHD may be nearly three times more likely to develop dementia, including diseases such as Alzheimer’s, than their non-ADHD counterparts.

With limited research focusing on the ADHD adult population and more on children, this study’s implications are significant.

Adults with ADHD: Analysing data

Analysing data from a 17-year study involving over 100,000 older adults in Israel, researchers delved into the connection between ADHD and dementia. Their findings showed that even after accounting for other dementia risk factors, such as cardiovascular conditions, adults with ADHD remained at a substantially higher risk for dementia.

ADHD’s late-life impact

The study suggests that ADHD in adults may act as a neurological process that limits their ability to compensate for cognitive decline in later life. This underscores the importance of monitoring ADHD symptoms and related medications in older adults.

Potential for treatment for ADHD

Moreover, the research indicates that ADHD treatment, possibly involving psychostimulants, might mitigate the risk of dementia in adults with ADHD. Psychostimulants are known to modify the cognitive impairment trajectory.

However, further investigations are needed to scrutinise the specific impact of medications on ADHD patients and their associated risks.

By raising awareness of the heightened dementia risk in adults with ADHD, this research empowers caregivers and healthcare providers to address the healthcare needs of this population better.

It underscores the importance of proactive symptom monitoring and potential intervention, offering hope for improved long-term cognitive health.

This newfound knowledge empowers caregivers and healthcare providers to take a proactive approach to the healthcare needs of adults with ADHD, emphasising the importance of vigilant symptom monitoring and timely intervention.

It opens the door to a brighter future where long-term cognitive health for individuals with ADHD may be significantly enhanced.