Top ADHD stories of the summer

As the month of August comes to a close and the beginning of the school year approaches, it may be the perfect time to revisit the latest research, treatment approvals and guidance associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Healio.com/Psychiatry highlights the top ADHD stories released this summer.

Heightened sensitivity to reward influences cognitive performance among children with ADHD

Children with ADHD exhibited greater improvement in cognitive task performance with reinforcement because of higher trait sensitivity to reward, not because of poorer performance in cognitive functioning at baseline. Read more

Children of chemically intolerant mothers at greater risk for ADHD, autism

Mothers with chemical intolerance are more likely to give birth to children with ADHD or autism spectrum disorder, according to results from a case-control study. Read more

Evekeo safe, effective for ADHD among children in classroom setting

Evekeo was effective and well-tolerated among children with ADHD, with an effect onset of 45 minutes that continued through 10 hours post-dosing, according to results from a dose-optimized, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover laboratory classroom study. Read more

Nonpharmacological interventions for ADHD beneficial in school setting

Although gaps in standardized interventions warrant further research, nonpharmacological interventions showed positive outcomes for ADHD in school settings, according to a synthesis of systematic reviews recently published in Health Technology Assessment. Read more

Excessive movement may increase attention, alertness among children with ADHD

Children with ADHD may exhibit excessive movement during cognitive performance in an effort to increase alertness and attention, according to study findings in Child Neuropsychology. Read more

5-HTTLPR affects stress response in brain regions involved in ADHD

5-HTTLPR genotype appears to be involved in moderating the influence of stress on brain regions linked to social cognitive processing and cognitive control, which may play a role in ADHD severity, according to findings from a follow-up of the International Multicenter ADHD Genetics (IMAGE) study. Read more

CDC supports continued surveillance of children with ADHD

From 2011 through 2013, nearly 10% of children aged 4 to 17 years in the United States were diagnosed with ADHD, with boys diagnosed more than twice as often as girls, according to data from the CDC. Read more