Exploring the link between fatty acids, FADS2 expression, and ADHD using structural equation modeling.

To explore whether the motor developmental level is associated with the attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms severity reported by parents in preschool children. Preschool children aged 4-6 years old with the chief complaint of reported inattention or hyperactivity by kindergarten teachers or parents were recruited in this study. All participants were consulted by at least one experienced developmental behavior pediatrician, according to DSM-V diagnostic criteria of ADHD. Their neuromotor developments were assessed by the Children's Neuropsychological and Behavior Scale and recorded as developmental quotient (DQ) score in gross motor, fine motor, and other domains. Regarding the evaluation of ADHD symptoms, parents of the 4-year-old group completed the Conners' Parent Symptom Questionnaire, while parents of the 5-year-old group completed The Vanderbilt ADHD Diagnostic Parent Rating Scale. A total of 137 preschool children aged 4-4.9 years (4-year-old group) and 252 were aged 5.0-5.9 years (5-year-old group) were included in the study. Children exhibiting ADHD symptoms were at a much higher risk of fine motor delays compared to gross motor delays, particularly among the younger age group. Correlation analysis and hierarchical regression showed that in the 4-year-old ADHD group, better gross motor development was associated with increased severity of parent-reported ADHD symptoms. In the 5-year-old ADHD group, poorer fine motor development was linked to higher ADHD symptom severity. For children who do not meet ADHD diagnostic criteria, no significant correlations were found between gross or fine motor developmental quotients (DQ) and the severity of ADHD symptoms. Preschool children exhibiting ADHD symptoms are at a notable high risk of fine motor delays. Motor development in preschool children who meet ADHD diagnostic criteria is related to the severity of their symptoms. It is important to monitor both fine and gross motor development in preschool children with ADHD.

The Relationship Between ADHD Symptoms, Breastfeeding and Overweight/obesity in Children and Adolescents

Few studies have examined the impact of childhood attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms on adult ADHD functional outcomes. To address this issue dimensionally, ADHD symptoms in childhood and adulthood and their relation to educational deficits and work disability are studied in a clinical sample of adult patients with previously untreated ADHD. About 250 adults diagnosed systematically with ADHD according to DSM-IV were prospectively recruited. Primary outcomes were high school dropout and being out of the work last year. Childhood ADHD symptoms, sex differences, comorbidities of other mental disorders, and adult ADHD symptoms were examined by historical data, clinician interviews, and questionnaires. High levels of ADHD symptom severity in childhood were related to dropping out of high school [odds ratio (OR) = 3.0], as were higher numbers of hyperactive–impulsive symptoms in childhood. Significantly, more women than men were long-term work disabled (OR = 2.0). After adjusting for age and gender, persisting high levels of ADHD inattention symptoms in adulthood (OR = 2.5), number of comorbid disorders, and particularly anxiety disorders were significantly related to long-term work disability. Childhood hyperactive–impulsive symptoms and overall severity of childhood ADHD symptoms were associated with high school dropout rates; however, persisting ADHD inattention symptoms and comorbid mental disorders in adulthood were more correlated to occupational impairment. These findings underline proposals for studies on early recognition and interventions for ADHD and psychiatric comorbidity. They further suggest that inattentive symptoms be a focus of adult ADHD treatment and that workplace interventions be considered to prevent long-term work disability.

PURPOSE: Examine the associations between physical activity (PA) and sleep quality outcomes related to childhood attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) METHODS: Cross-sectional pediatric data (N = 59, F = 26, age = 9.95 ± 2.84) was collected to explore connections among physical activity and sleep quality measures. Children were grouped via confirmed ADHD diagnosis (ADHD: N = 21), undiagnosed ADHD yet highly symptomatic on the ADHD-IV Rating Scale (SYM: N = 21), and neurotypical (NT: N = 17) development. Outcomes included: the percentage of time spent in daily PA behaviors (sedentary, light PA[LPA], and moderate-to-vigorous PA[MVPA]), obtained via accelerometry; and self-reported sleep metrics (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index: PSQI domains of daytime dysfunction, sleep latency, and sleep dysfunction). One-way MANOVAs with Tukey's post-hoc tests were used to compare the outcomes between NT, SYM, and ADHD. Pearson correlations were used for exploratory associations between PA and sleep in the ADHD group only. RESULTS: Post-hoc MANOVA results revealed significant group differences in daily LPA (F(2,52) = 8.47, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.25). Children with ADHD (12.78士4.06%) had significantly higher LPA than SYM (16.63士3.96%; p = 0.01), who also had significantly higher LPA than NT (11.05士4.56%; p < 0.001). Similarly, daytime dysfunction was higher in ADHD (1.00士0.65) compared to both NT (0.41士0.51) and SYM (0.52士0.60; F(2,55) = 5.32, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.16). Among ADHD, sedentary time was positively correlated with daytime dysfunction (r = 0.526, p = 0.017), and LPA was negatively correlated with daytime dysfunction (r = −0.690, p = 0.001) and sleep disturbances (r = −0.569, p = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Results show that children who present with more severe ADHD symptoms (diagnosed and undiagnosed) exhibited higher LPA and higher daytime dysfunction, compared to their NT peers. When examining the ADHD group alone, there were positive associations between sedentary time and daytime dysfunction, and negative associations between LPA and daytime dysfunction and sleep disturbances. ADHD is widely prevalent yet poorly understood in the management of daily symptoms. Children with ADHD symptoms might benefit from targeted strategies to improve sleep quality, perhaps with more bouts of MVPA. Supported by: Rhode Island Foundation Medical Research Grant

ABSTRACTObjectives: To investigate the prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms in adult patients with primary restless legs syndrome (RLS) and to determine the iron biological correlates of these comorbidities. Participants and Methods: We obtained demographic and clinical data from consecutive 105 outpatients with idiopathic RLS who answered validated questionnaires designed to assess the presence of ADHD and OCD symptoms. In these patients, iron blood parameters were routinely checked. Results: Of the total sample, 42.86% of the patients with RLS showed symptoms reminiscent either of ADHD or OCD. Prevalence of ADHD and OCD symptoms was 27.62% and 7.62%, respectively. Compared to other groups, a significantly higher percentage of RLS patients with ADHD symptoms was on antidepressant (p = 0.012); and women with ADHD symptoms, either alone or combined with OCD symptoms, showed significant reduced ferritin concentrations compared to men with either isolated ADHD symptoms or with combined ADHD and OCD symptoms (p = 0.028 and p = 0.025, respectively). Conclusions: Our findings highlight the high prevalence of ADHD and OCD symptoms in adult patients with primary RLS and independently of serum iron stores decrease, except for women with ADHD symptoms either alone or in combination with OCD symptoms. This may suggest an overlapping neurobiological dopaminergic and serotoninergic dysfunction in ADHD, OCD, and RLS, and question the expression of different RLS phenotypes. The efficacy of dopamine agonists in these groups of patients should be questioned in future studies.

The Relationship Between Maternal Stress and Boys' ADHD Symptoms and Quality of Life: An Australian Prospective Cohort Study

The interaction between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and anxiety symptoms Objective: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and anxiety disorders are commonly seen in the field of child psychiatry. Childhood ADHD and anxiety disorders are comorbid with an estimated rate of 13% to 50%. In this study, it was aimed to research anxiety symptoms and its relation with ADHD symptoms in children with ADHD. Method: Fifty children with ADHD and 49 healthy controls (aged 8-15 years) who do not have any psychiatric diagnosis were included in study. We used socio-demographic information form, Conners’ Teacher Rating Scale (CTRS), Child Behavior Checklist for 4-18 years (CBCL), The Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED) both parent and child report for assessing these children. The diagnosis were made with Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL). Results: The anxiety disorders comorbidity rate was 24% in ADHD group. The total scores of SCARED parent and children reports were higher in ADHD group. SCARED children report scores were higher than SCARED parent report scores in both groups. Discussion: Our results agree with the previously reported common anxiety comorbidity with ADHD and the association between attention deficit symptoms and anxiety symptoms. In our study, parents reported fewer anxiety symptoms in their children than children’s self reports. Clinicians should evaluate anxiety symptoms carefully in children with ADHD that could be unnoticed by their parents. The treatment should be determined according to the comorbidities.

Maternal psychiatric history is associated with the symptom severity of ADHD in offspring

Little is known about which clinical features may aid the differentiation between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other clinical conditions. This study seeks to determine the role of self- and informant reports on symptoms and impairments in the clinical evaluation of adult ADHD and explore their association with objective neuropsychological test performance by examining data of 169 outpatients referred for a diagnostic evaluation of adult ADHD. Participants were assigned either to an ADHD group (ADHD, n = 73) or one of two clinical comparison groups, depending on whether they show indications (Clinical Comparison Group, CCG, n = 53) or no indications (Clinical Comparison Group—Not Diagnosed, CCG-ND, n = 43) of psychiatric disorders other than ADHD. All participants and their informants completed a set of questionnaires. Compared to the CCG-ND, the ADHD group obtained significantly higher scores on ADHD symptoms, impulsivity, cognitive deficits, and anxiety. Compared to the CCG, the ADHD group scored significantly higher on ADHD symptoms but lower on depression. Further regression analyses revealed that self- and informant reports failed to predict neuropsychological test performance. Self- and informant reported information may be distinct features and do not correspond to results of objective neuropsychological testing.

IntroductionThe role of nutrition in Attention-Deficit, Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and other neurodivergent conditions is of growing public and research interest. There is little research reporting vitamin, mineral and omega-3 fatty acid levels in ADHD and brain health.MethodsThis study presents nutritional and psychological data from a community UK sample of children (n = 47, Mean age: 10.1 years) and adults (n = 10, Mean age: 29.8 years) with ADHD, autism, dyslexia and other neurodivergent conditions (total n = 57). The participants undertook a blood draw which measured a range of vitamins, minerals and omega-3 fatty acids as well as food allergies and food intolerances which were then correlated with psychological symptom scores measuring ADHD symptoms.ResultsThe key findings, revealed that both children and adults presented with a range of insufficiencies in key nutrients which facilitate neurotransmitter function and, which are deemed as brain-essential, namely omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, B-vitamins and vitamin D. Furthermore, significant relationships were observed between nutrient levels and ADHD symptom severity in the children’s group. For example, red blood cell magnesium was negatively correlated with the Conners CI-Parent Rating Scale (CPRS) Disruptive Behavior scores (rho = −0.597, p = 0.024). The omega-3 index (sum of EPA + DHA as a percentage of total fatty acids) was negatively correlated with their Learning and Language Disorder scores, (rho = −0.601, p = 0.018). Magnesium levels were also associated with overall ADHD symptom severity (rho = −0.612, p = 0.02), implying that the greater the severity of ADHD symptoms, the lower the magnesium. This clinical cohort also presented with a range of food intolerances with over 80% of participants presenting with high reactivity scores to cow’s milk, other dairy, and casein, and just over half the sample intolerant to wheat and wheat gluten.DiscussionThis is a novel study which presents preliminary data and insights in the role of nutrition in ADHD and neurodivergence. and relationships between nutritional insufficiencies and ADHD-symptoms. It specifically demonstrates a range of food intolerances and relationships between nutritional insufficiencies and ADHD-symptoms, which warrant further exploration in larger case-control groups.

ObjectiveThe mismatch negativity (MMN) event-related potential is an index of the pre-attentive stage of neural auditory information processing and an electrophysiological signal indicative of the integrity of auditory information processing with regard to the attention deficit symptom of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We investigated the association between the MMN amplitude and latency in frontal brain regions and symptom severity in children with ADHD and subclinical ADHD symptoms.MethodsThis study included 29 children: 16 (10 boys; mean age, 13.06 ± 3.67 years) with ADHD (ADHD group) and 13 (eight boys; mean age, 13.40 ± 3.31 years) with sub-clinical ADHD symptoms (subclinical ADHD group). We performed the following assessments: Korean ADHD rating scale-IV (K-ARS-IV), children depression inventory, state/trait anxiety inventory for children, and MMN (measured at Fz, FCz, Cz, and CPz).ResultsThere were no sex or mean age differences between the groups (c2 = −0.01, p = 0.958; Z = −1.88, p = 0.060, respectively). The ADHD group had a significantly higher mean K-ARS-IV score (26.13 ± 9.56 vs. 17.15 ± 11.73, Z = −2.11, p = 0.035). Significant differences were found according to symptom severity in the MMN amplitude at FCz (Z = −2.11, p = 0.035) and MMN latency at Fz and FCz (Z = −2.48, p = 0.013; Z = −2.57, p = 0.010). The K-ARS-IV, K-ARS inattention subscale, and K-ARS hyperactivity-impulsivity subscale scores in the ADHD group correlated significantly with the MMN amplitude at Cz and CPz.ConclusionThis study found differences in the MMN amplitude and latency according to the severity of ADHD symptoms and identified MMN as a potential adjunct to the diagnosis of ADHD.

ObjectiveStimulants are the most effective treatment for Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In addition, studies have shown that nicotine dependence in patients with ADHD is probably best explained by self-medication. The question is whether this is also true for caffeine use and caffeine dependence. The aim of our study was, therefore, to examine the relationship of ADHD symptoms, caffeine consumption, caffeine use disorder (CUD) and well-being. We hypothesized that those who have more ADHD symptoms and regularly consume caffeine have higher psychological well-being than those who have more ADHD symptoms, but do not consume caffeine.MethodsA general population sample (N = 2,259, 70.5% male, mean age 34.0) filled out the 10-item Caffeine Use Disorder Questionnaire (CUDQ), the Adult ADHD Self-report Scale (ASRS) and the WHO-5 Well-Being Index (WHO-5) and were asked about their caffeine consumption habits in an online survey.ResultsThere were no associations between ADHD and coffee, tea, energy drink or cola consumption or daily caffeine consumption. However, the results of the path analysis showed that the level of ADHD symptoms was positively associated with the level of CUD (β = 0.350) and negatively with the WHO-5 (β = −0.259).ConclusionsCaffeine consumption was not associated with ADHD symptom severity and thus not likely to represent self-medication. On the contrary, caffeine use disorder severity is associated with more ADHD symptoms and both caffeine use disorder and ADHD are associated with lower well-being.

Several studies report a strong link between ADHD and tobacco use; however, the nature of this relationship is not entirely clear. We examined the relationship between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and tobacco use within a sample of college students. Although tobacco use was the main focus, we also examined alcohol and marijuana use. We examined the association between the number of ADHD symptoms endorsed (severity), and tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana use in a convenience sample of 334 college students in the southeastern United States. Survey data were based on the annual Core Alcohol and Drug Survey for substance use, and the Current Symptom Scale (CSS) for ADHD, conduct disorder (CD), and antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) symptoms. Among ever users of a substance, the number (severity) of current ADHD symptoms, including inattentive and hyperactive symptoms, were significantly associated with the frequency of tobacco and marijuana use in the past month and past year, as well as to the frequency of alcohol use in the past month. The results suggest that the number of ADHD symptoms is proportionally associated with tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana use.

Objectives : The goal of this study was to examine the association between zinc and lead level and symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among Korean children. Methods : A total of 89 clinic-referred children participated in the study (ADHD group=45, control group=44). The participants were 5-15 years old, and were mainly from urban areas of Seoul, Korea. ADHD was diagnosed using the Kiddie-Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia-Present and Lifetime Version. We excluded children with a comorbid psychiatric disorder, medical illness requiring medication, or a prior history of taking ADHD medication. In order to evaluate the severity of ADHD symptoms, parents' Korean ADHD Rating Scale (K-ARS) was used. The ADHD diagnostic system (ADS) was used for evaluation of the severity of inattention and impulsivity. All participants completed the intelligence test and hair mineral analysis. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the effect of hair zinc and lead levels on the K-ARS and ADS. We measured the predictive ability of the zinc and lead levels using logistic regression analysis. Results : The lead level explained the score for omission errors, commission errors, and response time SD in visual ADS in the ADHD group (adjusted <TEX>$R^2$</TEX>=.243, p<.01, adjusted <TEX>$R^2$</TEX>=.362, p<.01, and adjusted <TEX>$R^2$</TEX>=.275, p<.01), the score for omission errors of auditory ADS in ADHD group (adjusted <TEX>$R^2$</TEX>=.407, p<.01) and the entire group (adjusted <TEX>$R^2$</TEX>=.292, p<.01). Zinc was significantly explanatory for the K-ARS scores for the entire group (adjusted <TEX>$R^2$</TEX>=.248, p<.001) and the ADHD group (adjusted <TEX>$R^2$</TEX>=.247, p<.05). Conclusion : These findings suggest a possible role of zinc and lead in ADHD. Lead concentration in hair samples affected the ADS scores, and this was more prominent in children with ADHD. Children with ADHD had a lower zinc concentration in their hair, and the zinc concentration in hair showed negative correlation with the K-ARS score.

Background/aim The present study aimed to determine the association between attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms severity, fibromyalgia (FM) severity, and QoL.Materials and methodsWhile the FM group consisted of 113 (74%) patients, the control group consisted of 40 (26%) individuals. FM symptom severity, ADHD symptom severity, and QoL were evaluated using the fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ), adult ADHD self-report scale (ASRS), and World Health Organization quality of life scale-brief version (WHOQOL-BREF), respectively. ResultsIt was found that the FM group had significantly higher scores on the ASRS than the control group (p < 0.05). There was a significant difference in FIQ scores and three WHOQOL-BREF domain scores between the FM alone and comorbid FM/high probability of ADHD groups (p < 0.05). We found a negative correlation between ASRS total scores and all other scale scores (except for the social relationships domain score of the WHOQOL-BREF) and a positive correlation between ASRS total scores and FIQ scores in FM patients. ADHD scores would mediate the relationship between depression severity and QoL.ConclusionsOur findings indicated that the presence of ADHD symptoms was related to greater FM symptom severity and poorer QoL. Also, ADHD scores would mediate the relationship between depression severity and QoL.