ADHD

Posted on ADHD, Mental health, Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis drug may help with poor working memory

A USC study of prescription data shows that people with Medicaid or Medicare Part D may be missing out on powerful new obesity and diabetes drugs

Fampridine is currently used to improve walking ability in individuals with multiple sclerosis. A new study indicates that it may also assist people with reduced working memory, which is often observed in mental health conditions like schizophrenia or depression.

Working memory is essential for everyday tasks, such as remembering a code long enough to type it in and engaging in conversations by reacting appropriately to what others say. It allows us to retain information for a brief period actively, typically a few seconds. However, certain conditions, including schizophrenia, depression, and ADHD, can impair working memory. Individuals affected by these conditions may struggle to follow conversations and to organize their thoughts effectively.

Fampridine is a drug that could help in such cases, as researchers led by Professor Andreas Papassotiropoulos and Professor Dominique de Quervain at the University of Basel have shown.

Practical only if working memory is poor

In their study, the researchers tested the effectiveness of fampridine on working memory in 43 healthy adults. Fampridine showed a more pronounced effect in participants whose baseline working memory was low. After taking the active substance for three days, they scored better in the relevant tests than those who took the placebo. In contrast, the drug showed no effect in people with good baseline working memory.

The researchers also observed that fampridine increased brain excitability in all participants, thus enabling faster processing of stimuli. The study was randomized and double-blind.

The established drug, a new application

“Fampridine doesn’t improve everyone’s working memory. But it could be a treatment option for those with reduced working memory,” explains Andreas Papassotiropoulos. Dominique de Quervain adds: “That’s why, together with researchers from the University Psychiatric Clinics Basel (UPK), we’re planning studies to test the efficacy of fampridine in schizophrenia and depression.”

The drug is currently used to improve walking ability in multiple sclerosis (MS). Particularly in capsule form, which releases the active ingredient slowly in the body, fampridine has shown effects on cognitive performance in MS patients. For some, it alleviates the mental fatigue that can accompany MS.

The researchers did not select the drug at random. This study followed comprehensive analyses of genome data to find starting points for repurposing established drugs. Fampridine acts on specific ion channels in nerve cells that, according to the researchers’ analyses, also play a role in mental disorders such as schizophrenia.

Posted on ADHD, Autism

Five signs you have both ADHD and autism

5 signs you have ADHD and autism - YouTube


In this video, I discuss my experiences living with both autism and ADHD, focusing on my inner perspective. While ADHD and autism share many similarities, they also have conflicting traits, which can make it challenging to navigate at times.

Posted on ADHD

Tactile massage helped young people with ADHD

Anna-Carin Robertz

Anna-Carin Robertz, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg. Credit Photo by University of Gothenburg

Tactile massage can relieve hyperactivity, impulsivity, and attention deficits in ADHD, according to a small-scale study conducted at the University of Gothenburg. Young people also found that the massage made it easier to fall asleep.  

In a recent study, 14 young people between the ages of 15 and 17 diagnosed with ADHD received tactile massages once a week for 10 weeks. The massages were administered by certified massage therapists in Trollhättan or Uddevalla, following a specific massage protocol. Tactile massage involves soft and deliberate movements, performed slowly and according to a specific structure.

Twelve of the 14 young people completed the entire treatment. They were asked to rate their mood and symptoms of ADHD before, during and after treatment. The young people’s guardians were also asked how they felt about their child’s well-being in different ways, before and after treatment. 

Positive effects 

The results show that hyperactivity, impulsivity and attention deficit were reduced. The treatment also reduced irritation and defiant tendencies. At follow-up, three months after the end of treatment, some of the positive effects seemed to remain.  

The study’s lead author is Anna-Carin Robertz, a PhD student at Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg. She is also a specialist nurse in psychiatry within the NU healthcare system, where she has previously offered tactile massage as a complement to conventional treatment, including to young people with ADHD.  

“Tactile massage appears to be a safe and effective treatment for adolescents with ADHD. Our study is small but contributes to a scientific basis for healthcare priorities. Perhaps there is an opportunity to create a simpler form of the treatment so that it becomes more resource-efficient for the healthcare system to offer it,” says Anna-Carin Robertz. 

Easier to sleep 

Sleep problems are more than twice as common among young people with ADHD compared to their peers. Several young people described that it had become much easier to fall asleep at night after receiving the tactile massage.  

“Very little is known about alternatives to sleep medication for young people. This study could lead to more research on how massage therapy can help improve sleep patterns,” says Anna-Carin Robertz. 

ADHD is a common diagnosis among children and young people under the age of 18 in Sweden. Data from the National Board of Health and Welfare’s statistical database in November 2023 showed that 10.5% of boys and 6% of girls had an ADHD diagnosis at that time. Both daily adjustments and medication can help a person with ADHD cope better with schoolwork and social relationships, but the effectiveness of such interventions is highly individual.

Posted on ADHD, Parkinson's Disease

Large-scale study of brain volume finds genetic links to Parkinson’s disease and ADHD

Researchers from USC and the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Australia conducted an international study that revealed hundreds of genetic variants that shape the brain.
Researchers from USC and the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Australia conducted an international study that revealed hundreds of genetic variants that shape the brain.

In one of the largest-ever studies of DNA and brain volume, researchers have identified 254 genetic variants that shape key structures in the “deep brain,” including those that control memory, motor skills, addictive behaviours and more.

The research is supported by the Enhancing Neuro Imaging Genetics through Meta-Analysis (ENIGMA) consortium. This international effort, based at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, brings together over 1,000 research labs across 45 countries. The goal is to identify genetic variations that impact the structure and function of the brain.

“A lot of brain diseases are known to be partially genetic. From a scientific standpoint, we are aiming to identify the specific changes in the genetic code that cause these,” stated Paul M. Thompson, PhD, who is the associate director of the USC Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute and the principal investigator for ENIGMA.

“By conducting research worldwide, we are beginning to pinpoint what has been referred to as ‘the genetic essence of humanity,’” he stated.

Identifying brain regions that are larger or smaller in certain groups, such as people with a specific brain disease, compared to others, can help scientists begin to understand the causes of brain dysfunction. Discovering the genes that control the development of those brain regions provides further insight into how to intervene.

In a recent study partly funded by the National Institutes of Health, a team of 189 researchers from around the world gathered DNA samples and conducted magnetic resonance imaging brain scans to measure volume in key subcortical regions, also known as the “deep brain,” from 74,898 participants. They then conducted genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to identify genetic variations linked to various traits or diseases. The study found gene-brain volume associations that are associated with a higher risk for Parkinson’s disease and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

“There is strong evidence that ADHD and Parkinson’s have a biological basis, and this research is a necessary step to understand and eventually treat these conditions more effectively,” said Miguel Rentería, PhD, an associate professor of computational neurogenomics at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR Berghofer) in Australia and principal investigator of the Nature Genetics study.

“Our findings suggest that genetic influences that underpin individual differences in brain structure may be fundamental to understanding the underlying causes of brain-related disorders,” he said.

Studying the deep brain

The researchers analyzed brain volume in key subcortical structures, including the brainstem, hippocampus, amygdala, thalamus, nucleus accumbens, putamen, caudate nucleus, globus pallidus and ventral diencephalon. These regions are critical for forming memories, regulating emotions, controlling movement, processing sensory data from the outside world, and responding to reward and punishment.

GWAS revealed 254 genetic variants associated with brain volume across those regions, explaining up to 10% of the observed differences in brain volume across participants in the study. While previous research has clearly linked certain regions with disease, such as the basal ganglia with Parkinson’s disease, the new study reveals which gene variants shape brain volume with greater precision.

“This paper, for the first time, pinpoints exactly where these genes act in the brain,” providing the beginnings of a roadmap for where to intervene said Thompson,

Posted on ADHD

Survey finds 25% of adults suspect they have undiagnosed ADHD

Medication

Allison Burk takes medication to manage ADHD. She was diagnosed with the condition as an adult, which resolved years of unanswered questions about issues with focus and impulsivity that affected every area of her life. (Credit: The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center)

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD, is often considered to be a condition that affects children. However, more adults are coming to the realization that their difficulties with attention, focus, and restlessness might be due to undiagnosed ADHD. This increased awareness is partly thanks to the popularity of social media videos that have garnered millions of views.

According to a new national survey of 1,000 American adults commissioned by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and College of Medicine, 25% of adults now suspect that they may have undiagnosed ADHD. However, only 13% of the survey respondents have shared their suspicions with their doctor. This has raised concerns among mental health experts.

That’s raising concerns about the consequences of self-diagnosis leading to incorrect treatment.

“Anxiety, depression, and ADHD can often appear similar, but providing the wrong treatment can exacerbate the situation rather than improving the individual’s well-being and functionality,” stated psychologist Justin Barterian, PhD, who serves as a clinical assistant professor at Ohio State’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral l Health.

An estimated 4.4% of people ages 18 to 44 have ADHD, and some people aren’t diagnosed until they’re older, Barterian said. 

“There is definitely more awareness of how ADHD can continue to affect individuals into adulthood. Many people are realizing, once their kids have been diagnosed, that they also exhibit these symptoms, as it is a genetic disorder,” Barterian said.

The survey found that younger adults are more likely to believe they have undiagnosed ADHD than older generations, and they’re also more likely to do something about it. 

Barterian said that should include seeing a medical professional, usually their primary care provider, to receive a referral to a mental health expert to be thoroughly evaluated, accurately diagnosed and effectively treated. 

“If you’re watching videos on social media and it makes you think that you may meet criteria for the disorder, I would encourage you to seek an evaluation from a psychologist or a psychiatrist or a physician to get it checked out,” Barterian said.

What is Adult ADHD?
Adults struggling with ADHD will have problems with paying attention, hyperactivity and impulsivity that are severe enough to cause ongoing challenges at school, work and home. These symptoms are persistent and disruptive and can often be traced back to childhood.

Adult ADHD occurs in:

  • Adults who were diagnosed as children, but symptoms continue into adulthood.
  • Adults who are diagnosed for the first time, despite experiencing symptoms since they were younger that had been ignored or misdiagnosed.

Hyperactivity as a symptom is typically less present in adults than in children. Many adults with ADHD struggle with memory and concentration issues. Symptoms of ADHD often worsen with stress, conflict or increased demands in life.

What are common types of ADHD?
The three types of ADHD are:

  • Inattentive ADHD – Inability to pay attention and distractibility. This also is known as attention-deficit disorder (ADD).
  • Hyperactive and impulsive ADHD – Hyperactivity and impulsivity.
  • Combined ADHD – This type causes inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity.

ADHD can be challenging to diagnose in adults because some symptoms overlap with those of other mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety.

“Symptoms of ADHD can look different between different people,” Barterian said. “Some people might have more difficulty focusing on lectures or with organization, while others may have more social difficulties with impulsivity and trouble following along in conversations.”