Adults Diagnosed With ADHD May Face Higher Risk of Dementia, Study Suggests

It is estimated that almost 10 million adults all over the world have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In the U.S., about 4% to 5% of adults have this condition. Some of them were diagnosed in childhood, while others only found out later in life.

Adult ADHD

Adult ADHD refers to a mental health condition which includes a combination of persistent problems such as impulsive behavior, hyperactivity, and difficulty paying attention. This condition can lead to low self-esteem, poor school or work performance, unstable relationships, and other problems.

The symptoms of adult ADHD can start in early childhood and may continue into adulthood. Adult ADHD symptoms may not be as clear as the symptoms in children and their hyperactivity may decrease. However, the struggles with restlessness, impulsiveness, and difficulty paying attention may still continue.

In some cases, this disorder is not recognized or diagnosed until the patient reaches adulthood. Many adults are not even aware that they have it, and they just find some daily tasks to be particularly challenging.

Diagnosing ADHD in adults can be difficult because some symptoms are similar to those caused by other psychological conditions like anxiety and mood disorders. Aside from this, many adults with ADHD are also found to have at least one other mental health condition, such as anxiety or depression.

Old Age ADHD and Dementia

In a long-term study, researchers from Rutgers University determined the connection between adult ADHD and dementia as well as the effect of medications and lifestyle changes. They investigated if adults with ADHD are at increased risk for dementia, including Alzheimer's disease.

Led by Michal Schnaider Beeri from Rutgers Brain Health Institute (BHI), the research team followed over 100,000 adults in Israel from 2003 to 2020. Beeri and his team used the data from the national cohort study in assessing adults with and without ADHD. They also analyzed the occurrence of dementia among these groups as they aged.

It was found that adults with ADHD are almost three times more likely to develop dementia than those without. The result of the study revealed that the presence of adult ADHD was associated with a higher risk of dementia even if the other risk factors for this condition were considered, including cardiovascular conditions.

According to the researchers, their findings can be used in providing better insights to caregivers and clinicians. Healthcare providers who work with older adults should monitor the symptoms of ADHD and other associated medications.

Symptoms of ADHD in old age should not be ignored and must be discussed with physicians. The research also suggests that ADHD treatments that incorporate psychostimulants may help in reducing the risk of dementia in adults with ADHD since they are known to change the trajectory of cognitive impairment.

The study, however, does not establish cause and effect, and the researchers highlight the need for further investigations. They emphasized that future studies should examine the impact of medications in ADHD patients and their effect on the risk of getting dementia.