J Atten Disord [JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
Associations Between ADHD Symptom Dimensions and Cognition in Children With ADHD and Learning Difficulties.
Cai Y, Holmes J, Gathercole SE
J Atten Disord · 2026 Jan · PMID 41116248 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Specific Learning Difficulties (SLD) are both associated with attentional and cognitive difficulties. This study examined the extent to which the cognitive...
BACKGROUND: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Specific Learning Difficulties (SLD) are both associated with attentional and cognitive difficulties. This study examined the extent to which the cognitive impairments could be consequences of elevated levels of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. METHOD: Secondary analysis was conducted on data from four groups selected from the Centre for Attention, Learning, and Memory, a neurodivergent cohort of children aged 5 to 18 years with a mean age of 9 years : children with ADHD only ( = 70), learning difficulties only ( = 406), ADHD with learning difficulties ( = 128), and a comparison group ( = 166). Covariance analyses examined whether any differences in basic cognitive skills and higher executive functions between the neurodivergent and comparison groups could result from variations in inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. RESULTS: Irrespective of ADHD status, children with learning difficulties had low scores in short-term memory, working memory, sustained attention, processing speed, set sequencing, and set shifting. These cognitive deficits largely persisted when inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity were covaried. In contrast, the ADHD only group performed at age-appropriate levels on measures of verbal short-term memory, verbal and visuospatial working memory, processing speed, and sustained attention. Their difficulties with set sequencing and visuospatial short-term memory were accounted for by inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity, whereas their challenges with set shifting were independent of these attentional behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: The results point to distinct neurodevelopmental pathways to cognitive functioning for children with learning difficulties and those with ADHD. The independence of learning-related cognitive skills from levels of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity in children with learning difficulties either with or without ADHD suggests they represent the core deficits that underlie their learning difficulties. The limited cognitive challenges of children with ADHD without learning difficulties may be consequences of their elevated levels of attentional behaviors. Understanding the cognitive and learning profiles of children with ADHD and learning difficulties vital for identifying optimal intervention and support strategies that address their individual needs.
Maternal Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Perinatal Depression: A Systematic Review.
Pierotti N, Jayakody K
J Atten Disord · 2026 Mar · PMID 41108181 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is well-established as a disorder that persists into adulthood and is commonly comorbid with other mental health conditions. Despite increasing numbers of women...
BACKGROUND: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is well-established as a disorder that persists into adulthood and is commonly comorbid with other mental health conditions. Despite increasing numbers of women entering reproductive years with this diagnosis, there is limited research on it in the perinatal period. OBJECTIVE: To critically appraise the available literature and examine the association between maternal ADHD and depression in the perinatal period. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted by searching EMBASE, PsycINFO, MEDLINE and Google Scholar up to August 2024. The available literature was evaluated in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines (PRISMA). The quality assessment was performed using the Joanna Briggs Institute framework, and a narrative synthesis was completed. RESULTS: Ten studies were identified as meeting the inclusion criteria. The majority were of medium quality, with issues identified in sample size, study design and validity of the self-report scale used. Our review found a prevalence of 16.76% to 57.6% of perinatal depression in women with ADHD. An increased risk of developing perinatal depression was also identified in women with ADHD (OR 1.8-2.63) compared to those without the disorder. Finally, our review also found a positive association between ADHD symptoms and depressive symptoms in perinatal women. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest a much greater vulnerability to perinatal depression among women with ADHD, and an association between ADHD symptoms and depressive symptoms in the perinatal period. There is, however, a clear need for more high-quality studies to replicate and further explore these findings.
It Takes Two: Intimate Partner Violence According to Both Partners in Young Adult ADHD Couples.
Wymbs BT, Pickel CT, Evans SW … +3 more , Zoccola PM, Shorey RC, Toback LM
J Atten Disord · 2026 Feb · PMID 41098103 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been shown to increase the risk of young adults perpetrating and being victims of intimate partner violence (IPV). However, research has yet to examine the I...
OBJECTIVE: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been shown to increase the risk of young adults perpetrating and being victims of intimate partner violence (IPV). However, research has yet to examine the IPV experiences of both dyad members where one or both partners has ADHD, and how those experiences differ from couples including partners without ADHD. METHODS: 41 "ADHD couples" ( age = 22.7 years), where one ( = 33) or both ( = 8) dyad members had ADHD, and 28 "Non-ADHD couples" ( age = 23.4 years), where both dyad members did not have ADHD, participated. Both partners reported on the frequency they perpetrated and were victims of psychological and physical IPV. RESULTS: Both partners in ADHD couples reported perpetrating more psychological and physical IPV than dyad members in Non-ADHD couples. Partners in ADHD couples also reported being victims of IPV more than partners in Non-ADHD couples. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of IPV perpetration in young adult couples with ADHD appears to be a two-way street. Research is needed to examine possible explanations for this pattern of reciprocal IPV, including mutual ADHD symptoms and related behavior (e.g., alcohol intoxication).
Maternal ADHD Diagnoses Before and After Childbirth: A Danish Population-Based Cohort Study.
Madsen KB, Winther M, Jensen AT … +4 more , Marcussen K, Munk-Olsen T, Wesselhoeft R, Kittel-Schneider S
J Atten Disord · 2026 Mar · PMID 41067916 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: The rates of women of reproductive age diagnosed with ADHD have increased significantly. However, little is known about how pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period influence ADHD related problems, hel...
OBJECTIVE: The rates of women of reproductive age diagnosed with ADHD have increased significantly. However, little is known about how pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period influence ADHD related problems, help-seeking behaviors or the timing of ADHD diagnosis. This study aimed to investigate incident ADHD diagnoses among women from 5 years before to 5 years after childbirth. METHOD: The population-based cohort study utilized Danish nationwide registers to identify mothers of all childbirths between 2010 and 2018. ADHD diagnoses, defined as ICD-10 codes (F90 or F98.8) or redemption of ADHD medication prescriptions, were recorded during 1994 to 2023. Women who received an ADHD diagnosis prior to the five-year pre-birth period were excluded. We estimated calendar-year adjusted incidence of first-time maternal ADHD diagnoses using Poisson regression, and compared incidence across pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, postpartum up to 2 years, and 2 to 5 years postpartum, reporting adjusted incidence rate ratios (IRRs). Analyses included psychiatric comorbidities and non-ADHD psychotropic medication use prior to an ADHD diagnosis, for women diagnosed with ADHD postpartum. RESULTS: The study included 363,904 mothers with a total of 524,936 childbirths. ADHD incidence rates decreased significantly during pregnancy (IRR = 0.28, 95% CI [0.22, 0.37]), remained lower than the pre-pregnancy period 2 years postpartum (IRR 0.82, 95% CI [0.74, 0.92]), and increased significantly above pre-pregnancy levels 2 to 5 years postpartum (IRR = 1.24, 95% CI [1.13, 1.35]). Among mothers diagnosed with ADHD postpartum, 53.9% had an in- or outpatient contact to psychiatric services or redeemed non-ADHD psychotropic medication prescriptions, in the period from childbirth until ADHD diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Incident ADHD diagnoses among women giving birth increased postpartum above pre-pregnancy levels, with peak rates observed between 2 and 5 years after childbirth. These findings highlight the postpartum period as a potential critical window of ADHD symptom worsening, underscoring the need for targeted mental health screenings and support for women during the years after childbirth.
The Association Between Maternal Progesterone Use During Pregnancy and Offspring Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Risk.
Bidabadi E, Sharami SH, Hoseini Nouri SA … +2 more , Parandavar M, Hassanzadeh Rad A
J Atten Disord · 2026 Mar · PMID 41059936 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: Previous animal studies have suggested a link between progesterone exposure and the development of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This study clinically evaluated the effect of progesterone us...
OBJECTIVE: Previous animal studies have suggested a link between progesterone exposure and the development of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This study clinically evaluated the effect of progesterone use during pregnancy on the risk of ADHD in children. METHODS: In this prospective case-control study, 97 children diagnosed with ADHD and 194 age- and sex-matched controls were included. Maternal progesterone use-via suppositories or injections-during pregnancy was assessed. Data were analyzed using SPSS. RESULTS: The mean age was slightly higher in the ADHD group, but not significantly. Male predominance was observed among ADHD cases, although not statistically significant. While neonatal hospitalization rates were similar, the duration was longer in the ADHD group ( = .009). Cesarean delivery and lower maternal education levels were significantly more common in the ADHD group ( = .004 and = .013, respectively). No significant difference in overall progesterone use was found between ADHD and control groups (17.5% vs. 19.1%; = .749). Injectable progesterone was used in 5.2% of ADHD cases and 10.8% of controls ( = .130), and the timing of use across pregnancy trimesters did not differ significantly ( = .493). Vaginal suppository use was also comparable (15.5% vs. 12.4%; = .465). However, continuous progesterone use throughout all trimesters was more frequently reported among ADHD cases (20.0% vs. 4.2%), suggesting a possible association that needs further investigation. CONCLUSION: Unlike findings from animal models, progesterone use during pregnancy does not appear to be associated with ADHD development. Still, prolonged exposure may warrant further investigation.
Academic Outcomes in Primary and Secondary School Students Prescribed Long-Acting Stimulants for ADHD Management.
Folkins C, Somayaji C, Gill SK … +1 more , Ted McDonald J
J Atten Disord · 2026 Apr · PMID 41055221 · Full text
OBJECTIVE: This study examines the impact of long-acting stimulant (LAS) pharmacotherapy for ADHD on academic outcomes among students in grades K-12 using retrospective analysis of administrative data. METHODS: ADHD diag...
OBJECTIVE: This study examines the impact of long-acting stimulant (LAS) pharmacotherapy for ADHD on academic outcomes among students in grades K-12 using retrospective analysis of administrative data. METHODS: ADHD diagnosis was identified based on ADHD management plans in school records, physician notes in billing records, and/or prescription records. Prescription records identified LAS-treated students ( = 15,544), excluding those treated with immediate/intermediate-acting stimulants or atomoxetine. A control group without ADHD ( = 204,681), and another with untreated ADHD ( = 27,880) were also identified. The following outcomes were examined using multivariate regression: report card scores, standardized assessment exam performance, graduation from high school, school attendance, and transition to post-secondary education. RESULTS: ADHD was associated with lower average report card scores and provincial assessment exam scores and increased frequency of school absence among grades K-12, and decreased likelihood of high school graduation and transition to post-secondary education. LAS treatment was associated with improved report card (score estimate -4.93 Treated, -6.19 Untreated) and provincial assessment exam scores (percentile rank estimate -9.20 Treated, -11.50 Untreated) among grades 9 to 12, reduced absences among grades K-12 (absence rate estimate -3.33 Treated, 7.96 Untreated), and increased likelihood of graduation (OR of failure to graduate 1.39 Treated, 2.22 Untreated) and transition to post-secondary education (OR of no transition 0.77 Treated, 1.42 Untreated; reference = No ADHD group). CONCLUSION: LAS pharmacotherapy is associated with improved academic performance, attendance, and likelihood of graduation and transition to post-secondary education.
Investigating the Symptom Presentation of Depression in Children With ADHD.
Williams G, Powell V, Eyre O … +2 more , Thapar A, Riglin L
J Atten Disord · 2026 Apr · PMID 41037257 · Full text
ADHD is commonly comorbid with depression and this comorbidity is associated with increased symptom severity and worse outcomes than either condition alone. Depression is highly heterogeneous and may present differently...
ADHD is commonly comorbid with depression and this comorbidity is associated with increased symptom severity and worse outcomes than either condition alone. Depression is highly heterogeneous and may present differently in populations with ADHD. This study aimed to explore different symptom presentations of depression and associated clinical correlates in a clinical ADHD sample. We analysed data from the Study of ADHD Genes and Environment (SAGE). Parents completed semi-structured interviews about their child's psychopathology at baseline ( = 10.9 years) and the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire to capture their child's depression symptoms approximately 5 years later ( = 14.6 years, = 246). Depression symptom presentations were derived by latent profile analysis. Analyses found three presentations of depression symptoms: a 'low symptoms' class (48.5% of the sample), a 'high symptoms' class (15.5%) with consistently high depression symptoms, particularly for suicidality and poor self-esteem items, and an 'irritable/poor sleep' class (36.1%) with high scores for irritability and poor sleep and intermediate levels of other depression symptoms. All three classes had elevated irritability and symptoms that overlap with ADHD. Behavioural problems (oppositional defiant disorder; conduct disorder) were associated with an increased likelihood of being in the high symptoms compared to low symptoms class, and higher autism symptoms were associated with being in the 'irritable/poor sleep' compared to low symptoms class. Our findings suggest that while young people with ADHD often have elevated depression symptoms, there is notable heterogeneity. Young people with ADHD and behavioural disorders may be particularly at risk of a more severe depression symptom presentations characterised by high suicidal cognitions, whilst those with ADHD and autistic traits may present with more irritability and poor sleep.
Predicting Flourishing in ADHD Youth: Positive Childhood Experiences and Mood Disturbances in Context of Adversity.
Torres PB, Ignacio DA, Griffith NM … +1 more , Emick J
J Atten Disord · 2026 Apr · PMID 41015933 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: In response to the increasing prevalence of ADHD, efforts have focused on understanding methods to optimize psychosocial, emotional, and behavioral well-being, defined as flourishing. Mood disturbances, envir...
BACKGROUND: In response to the increasing prevalence of ADHD, efforts have focused on understanding methods to optimize psychosocial, emotional, and behavioral well-being, defined as flourishing. Mood disturbances, environmental vulnerabilities, and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are risk factors for not flourishing. There is limited research on protective relational factors, as measured by Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs), as facilitators of flourishing in children with ADHD and comorbid mood disturbances. METHOD: Using a nationally representative sample of 4,847 children, aged 6 to 17 years-old, currently diagnosed with ADHD, hierarchical binary logistic regression examined whether the number of PCEs present for children with and without mood disturbances could significantly predict who was flourishing or not. The initial model included demographics, ADHD treatment-related variables, and the number of ACEs encountered. RESULTS: After controlling for covariates, the odds of flourishing measured by the Child Flourishing Index (CFI) for children with ADHD were 7.31 [4.51, 11.86] times greater for those with 6 to 7 PCEs compared to peers with 0 to 2 PCEs, and 3.37 [2.24, 5.06] times greater for those with 3 to 5 PCEs relative to peers with 0 to 2 PCEs. Furthermore, parents who reported their children had neither current anxiety nor depression were 2.92 [1.87, 4.55] times more likely to flourish than children currently reported to have both anxiety and depression. These associations were consistent regardless of the level of ACEs. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that more PCEs and the absence of mood disturbance may attenuate the influence of ACEs on healthy adjustment for children with ADHD. Encouraging resilience in families, connecting with caregivers, and community volunteering were the most predictive positive childhood experiences of flourishing in this national sample of youth with ADHD and comorbid mood disturbance. Current results also provide guidance for future research on PCEs measurement, screening for comorbidities, and clinical intervention in neurodiverse samples.
Adverse Childhood Experiences and ADHD in College Students: Exploring the Role of Emotion Regulation and Self-Compassion.
Karaçul FE, Arslan G
J Atten Disord · 2026 Feb · PMID 40995879 · Publisher ↗
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are known to have several negative effects on mental health and well-being. However, few studies have examined the role of these events in the development of ADHD and the protective f...
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are known to have several negative effects on mental health and well-being. However, few studies have examined the role of these events in the development of ADHD and the protective factors that could guide prevention and intervention strategies in college students. The aim of current study is to examine the potential role of self-compassion and emotion regulation in the relationship between ACEs and ADHD symptoms in college students. The sample of the study consisted of 442 young adults (67.4% female; 32.6% male) aged between 18 and 29 years ( = 20.43, = 1.74) from a public university in Türkiye. Participants completed validated measures that were combined in a single battery with a web-based tool. We found that ACEs were associated with lower levels of self-compassion (Cohen's = 0.43) and emotion regulation (Cohen's = 0.29), along with higher levels of attention deficit (Cohen's = 0.47) and hyperactivity-impulsivity (Cohen's = 0.46) symptoms. Further results indicated that ACEs were a significant positive predictor of attention deficit and hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms and a negative predictor of self-compassion and emotion regulation. Additionally, self-compassion showed an indirect effect on the relationship between ACEs and emotion regulation, as well as the association between ACEs and attention-deficit/hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms. Finally, we found that emotion regulation had an indirect effect on the association between self-compassion and attention-deficit/hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms. These findings provide further evidence supporting the importance of self-compassion-based strategies to reduce attention-deficit/hyperactivity impulsivity by promoting emotion regulation skills in college students.
A Trans-Diagnostic Investigation of Attention and Diverse Phenotypes of "Auditory Hyperreactivity" in Autism, ADHD, and the General Population.
Dwyer P, Williams ZJ, Lawson W … +1 more , Rivera SM
J Atten Disord · 2026 Jan · PMID 40965092 · Full text
OBJECTIVE: Experiences of "auditory hyper-reactivity" and decreased sound tolerance, which can be separated into phenotypes such as hyperacusis and misophonia, are prevalent in autism and ADHD and impact quality of life...
OBJECTIVE: Experiences of "auditory hyper-reactivity" and decreased sound tolerance, which can be separated into phenotypes such as hyperacusis and misophonia, are prevalent in autism and ADHD and impact quality of life and wellbeing. Furthermore, atypical patterns of attention regulations-including hyper-focus and inattention-are common in both autism and ADHD. Prior research also suggests sensory hyper-reactivity can cause anxiety, and anxiety can be associated with hyper-vigilance. It is currently unclear whether hyper-focusing on stimuli, having one's attention captured by them, or being hyper-vigilant toward them could lead to sensory hyper-reactivity. Therefore, this study investigates relationships among hyper-focus, inattention, hyper-vigilance, auditory hyper-reactivity, and anxiety. METHOD: Four hundred ninety-two adults (122 ADHD-only, 130 autistic-only, 141 autistic + ADHD, and 99 comparison) completed questionnaires indexing hyper-focus, inattention, and various forms of auditory hyper-reactivity; participants also completed a psychoacoustic measure by rating the pleasantness of misophonic trigger sounds. RESULT: Per questionnaires, auditory hyper-reactivity was markedly elevated in both autistic and ADHD participants relative to comparison participants (.46 ≤ Cliff's δ ≤ .84), whereas differences between autism and ADHD alone were small (.05 ≤ |Cliff's δ| ≤ .21) and not consistent in sensitivity analyses. Path analysis suggested hyper-vigilance, hyper-focus, and inattention were related to auditory hyper-reactivity, which was related to anxiety, which was related to hyper-vigilance, potentially reflecting a cyclic relationship. However, psychoacoustic misophonia was only modestly related to self-reported misophonia scores (.22 Spearman's ρ ≤ .31), and contributed little to the auditory hyper-reactivity composite included in the path analysis. CONCLUSION: These findings generally support the idea that attention may be connected to many neurodivergent people's auditory hyper-reactivity, but also emphasize the need for improved measurement of sensory experiences.
Sleep Variability and Negative Alcohol-Related Consequences in College Students: Dynamic Associations With ADHD.
Marsh NP, Oddo LE, Wiggs KK … +2 more , Murphy JG, Chronis-Tuscano A
J Atten Disord · 2026 Feb · PMID 40960296 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: College students often engage in heavy alcohol use and experience poor sleep. These risks are exacerbated among students with ADHD, who are especially vulnerable to both poor sleep and alcohol-related negativ...
BACKGROUND: College students often engage in heavy alcohol use and experience poor sleep. These risks are exacerbated among students with ADHD, who are especially vulnerable to both poor sleep and alcohol-related negative consequences. Although prior research has often focused on average sleep patterns, the impact of variability in sleep (i.e., bedtime, duration, and waketime) remains understudied. This variability may be particularly important for individuals with ADHD, given the self-regulation challenges that underline both sleep and alcohol use. Therefore, we examined ADHD-related differences in sleep variability and tested whether sleep variability predicts alcohol-related negative consequences. METHODS: Utilizing 2-week daily diaries in a sample engaging in heavy drinking ( = 101; ADHD = 51, without ADHD = 50), Dynamic Structural Equation Models (DSEM) were applied to examine ADHD group differences in sleep variability and sleep averages (bedtime, waketime, and duration) and alcohol-related negative consequences, and test if sleep variability predicted negative consequences. RESULTS: ADHD group status was significantly associated with later average waketimes, but not in average bedtimes or average sleep duration. However, students with ADHD did report significantly greater in their bedtimes, waketimes and sleep duration, as well as greater alcohol-related negative consequences, compared to controls. Notably, ADHD was not a significant covariate in any adjusted models; instead, greater sleep duration variability significantly predicted increased negative consequences independent of ADHD status. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the importance of considering sleep variability for those with ADHD and more generally as a risk mechanism associated with alcohol-related negative consequences in college students who report heavy drinking.
ADHD Symptoms, Resilience, and Quality of Life in Emerging Adults: The Roles of Diagnostic Status and Current Symptomatology.
Macht AKR, Holt LJ, Stimulant Norms and Prevalence 3 (SNAP3) Study Team
J Atten Disord · 2026 Feb · PMID 40960278 · Publisher ↗
Research on college students with ADHD largely has focused on impairments associated with this condition, as opposed to how resilience might buffer ADHD-related challenges. The present study examined potential difference...
Research on college students with ADHD largely has focused on impairments associated with this condition, as opposed to how resilience might buffer ADHD-related challenges. The present study examined potential differences in quality of life (QoL), resilience, and sociodemographic characteristics by students' ADHD diagnostic/symptom status and whether diagnostic/symptom group differences in QoL were more/less pronounced at different levels of resilience. Using data from an online survey distributed at six US colleges/universities, participants ( = 4,897; 74% female; 60% White) reported on current ADHD symptomatology and diagnostic status; personal, social, and familial resilience; and physical, psychological, social, environmental, and global QoL. Compared to students who were or , participants who were symptomatic (diagnosed and undiagnosed) evidenced lower resilience and QoL across all domains. There were significant interactions between ADHD group and resilience for global QoL and environmental QoL. Global QoL among participants was consistently lower than the reference group (, particularly at lower levels of resilience. For environmental QoL, the slopes for both groups were less steep compared to the reference group, suggesting resilience was less closely associated with environmental QoL. Findings suggest that current ADHD symptomatology, as opposed to a formal ADHD diagnosis, is a better predictor of psychosocial impairment. Helping students with an ADHD diagnosis to continue developing resilience ultimately may benefit QoL; however, students who are currently symptomatic - particularly those who are undiagnosed - likely need additional support to experience the protective benefits of resilience.
Trajectory Moderators of Functional Outcomes and ADHD Symptoms in Children With ADHD.
Fletcher M, Silva S, Pan W … +1 more , Reuter-Rice K
J Atten Disord · 2026 Apr · PMID 40932681 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: ADHD can impair children's functioning. Socioeconomic and sociodemographic factors present barriers to treatment access and lead to disparate outcomes in children with ADHD. The purpose of this study was to de...
OBJECTIVE: ADHD can impair children's functioning. Socioeconomic and sociodemographic factors present barriers to treatment access and lead to disparate outcomes in children with ADHD. The purpose of this study was to describe trajectories of functional outcomes and ADHD symptom counts across 3 years and explore the moderating effects of income and race/ethnicity on these trajectories among U.S. children with ADHD. METHOD: This longitudinal study of children currently and/or previously meeting diagnostic criteria for ADHD ( = 1,587, age = 9-10 years at baseline) used data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study. Outcomes were child-reported functional outcome measures (family conflict, prosocial behavior, and school experiences) and parent-reported inattentive and hyperactive symptom counts across 3 years. Multi-level, mixed-effects models for longitudinal data were used to characterize each outcome trajectory and examine the moderating effects of baseline household income and race/ethnicity. RESULTS: The sample was 68% male and 54% White, with 53% meeting diagnostic criteria for past-only ADHD, 12% current-only ADHD, and 35% both past and current ADHD. Significant changes in family conflict, school experiences, inattentive symptom counts, and hyperactive symptom counts were demonstrated across 3 years (trajectories, < .05). Income significantly moderated prosocial behavior trajectories, while race/ethnicity significantly moderated family conflict and prosocial behavior trajectories (time interaction, < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that factors related to income and race/ethnicity influence trajectories of change in family conflict and prosocial behavior outcomes in children with a history of ADHD. Future studies should explore these disparities and identify targets for intervention, such as increased access to diagnosis and treatment for individuals at risk of poorer functional outcomes.
An Investigation of Attentional Networks, the Locus Coeruleus - Norepinephrine System, and Autism and ADHD Traits.
Kim Y, Schneider DW, Keehn B
J Atten Disord · 2026 Jan · PMID 40932445 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: Attention is proposed to consist of three discrete neurofunctional networks, though evidence suggests that two of these - the alerting and cognitive control networks - are interdependent. The neural mechanism(s)...
PURPOSE: Attention is proposed to consist of three discrete neurofunctional networks, though evidence suggests that two of these - the alerting and cognitive control networks - are interdependent. The neural mechanism(s) underlying this interdependence have not been identified; however, the locus coeruleus - norepinephrine (LC-NE) system may provide a potential explanation for this interaction. Further, both alerting-cognitive control interdependence and LC-NE activity may be altered in autistic individuals, and thus may provide a unique window into the relationship between the LC-NE system and network interdependence. The objective of the current study was to utilize electrophysiological and pupillary indices of LC-NE activity to examine the associations between attentional network interdependence, LC-NE activity, and autism and ADHD traits. METHODS: A total of 77 neurotypical undergraduate students completed two tasks: (1) a resting eye-tracking task to measure pupil diameter (tonic LC activity), and (2) a cued-flanker task to measure cue-related pupil diameter response (cue PDR; phasic LC activity) and attentional network interdependence using behavioral, electrophysiological, and pupillometric indices. Autistic and ADHD traits were measured by self-reported questionnaires. RESULTS: Consistent with prior reports, our behavioral and electrophysiological results support network interdependence. Phasic LC activity was positively related to alerting-cognitive control interdependence. Finally, the tonic and phasic LC-NE indices were linked to distinct ADHD subscales but not to autistic traits. CONCLUSION: These findings expand our understanding of neurofunctional mechanism associated with alerting-cognitive control interdependence and demonstrate that LC-NE activation may be associated with ADHD rather than with autistic traits.
Perception of Visual Illusions in Children and Teenagers With ADHD.
Montiel V, Navarrete V, González-Pérez AM … +6 more , Vázquez de Alba C, Díaz-Sánchez R, Szenczi P, Rosetti M, Ulloa RE, Bánszegi O
J Atten Disord · 2026 Jan · PMID 40914859 · Full text
OBJECTIVE: Susceptibility to visual illusions is a consequence of the adaptation of the visual system, however, their perception or lack of it reflects differences in more general, global cognitive processes. Few studies...
OBJECTIVE: Susceptibility to visual illusions is a consequence of the adaptation of the visual system, however, their perception or lack of it reflects differences in more general, global cognitive processes. Few studies have focussed on the susceptibility of individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), even though visual impairment and percept differences have been thoroughly documented. METHOD: The present study evaluated 75 children (ages 6.09-12.99 years, 72% male) and 37 teenagers (ages 13-16.95 years, 62% male) with ADHD, and a sex-and-age matched sample of typically developing peers. They were tested with 103 pairs of illusory and control images spanning five illusion types. RESULTS: We found increased susceptibility to the Müller-Lyer and Kanizsa Subjective Contour and decreased susceptibility to the Ebbinghaus illusion among children with ADHD when compared to typically developing controls. No differences were found for susceptibility to the Simultaneous Contrast and Moving Snake illusions. As for reaction times, we did not find differences between participants with ADHD and their control peers when judging illusions; however, in general participants give answers faster in the illusory trials than in control trials with the same magnitude of difficulties which also confirm the susceptibility of the illusions. CONCLUSION: Our findings point to small but important perceptual alterations, such as slightly reduced or delayed top-down or global processing ability in children with ADHD. Further research can focus on how these alterations may be useful to detect developmental alterations and understand perceptual difficulties in children with neuropathology.
A Comparison of Commercially Available Parent and Teacher Rating Forms in the Concurrent Prediction of Executive Functioning Performance in Children.
Hlutkowsky CO, All KE, Roule AL … +2 more , Warner TA, Huang-Pollock C
J Atten Disord · 2026 Jan · PMID 40913496 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: It is often argued that executive functioning (EF) tasks and EF questionnaires measure the same construct at different levels of analysis. However, item content on EF questionnaires varies by publisher/rater,...
OBJECTIVE: It is often argued that executive functioning (EF) tasks and EF questionnaires measure the same construct at different levels of analysis. However, item content on EF questionnaires varies by publisher/rater, indicating a striking lack of consensus on what EF represents when measured via questionnaires. In two separate samples spanning early and middle childhood, and utilizing a multi-method multi-rater approach, we systematically compare the concurrent validity of different questionnaire-based conceptualizations of EF. METHODS: Parents and teachers of children aged 8 to 12 years ( = 226) and 5 to 7 years ( = 152) completed indices marketed as EF on the Behavioral Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF); Conners' Rating Scale; and the Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC). Their associations with performance on tasks of working memory (WM) and inhibition were compared against established indices of inattention, impulsivity, and academic underachievement on the same forms. RESULTS: Across samples, parent and teacher ratings of academic difficulty were most strongly associated with performance, particularly for WM. EF indices were no better (and were sometimes worse) at predicting concurrent EF than established indices of inattention/impulsivity. CONCLUSIONS: Developers of EF scales must either improve the divergent validity of their scales against established indices of attention/impulsivity or improve the convergent validity with tests of EF. Otherwise, the clinical utility of questionnaire-based EF remains questionable. Implications for theory development and research are discussed.
School-Based Social Skills Interventions for Youth With ADHD: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Bussanich G, Harrison JR, Peltier C … +3 more , Patel A, Mehta P, Patel K
J Atten Disord · 2026 Apr · PMID 40905635 · Publisher ↗
UNLABELLED: ObjectiveChildren and adolescents frequently struggle with social skills performance in academic settings, which can negatively impact quality of life. As such, social skills training is frequently recommende...
UNLABELLED: ObjectiveChildren and adolescents frequently struggle with social skills performance in academic settings, which can negatively impact quality of life. As such, social skills training is frequently recommended; however, the effectiveness of school-based social skills training has not been synthesized. As such, the purpose of the current study was to evaluate the empirical evidence pertaining to both stand-alone and multimodal school-based social skills programs for students with ADHD, and to assess the effects of potential moderating variables. METHOD: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted of studies between the years of 1975 and 2023 following the recommendations of the Cochrane Foundation and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). RESULTS: Seventeen studies, single-case, within group, and between-group designs met the established inclusion criteria, with 10 included in the meta-analysis. The findings revealed small to large effects; however, the overall meta-analytic effect size was negligible (ES = 0.09). The differences in social skills approaches, intensity, parent involvement, and setting did not moderate the effects. CONCLUSION: These findings underscore the necessity for ongoing exploration and refinement of social skills interventions tailored for youth with ADHD.
Efficacy and Safety of Jingling Oral Liquid for Children With ADHD: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.
Qi Y, Luo X, Liu Y … +3 more , Zhang J, Chen X, Zheng Y
J Atten Disord · 2025 Dec · PMID 40905540 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to verify the therapeutic efficacy and safety of a traditional Chinese medicine, Jingling Oral Liquid, in treating ADHD through a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial...
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to verify the therapeutic efficacy and safety of a traditional Chinese medicine, Jingling Oral Liquid, in treating ADHD through a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (ChiCTR-IPR-17012293). METHOD: Eighty-five children with ADHD underwent 8 weeks of strictly monitored treatment. Forty children (8.2 ± 2.1 years old, nine girls) were randomly assigned to be treated with Jingling Oral Liquid (Liaoning Dongfangren Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.), and 41 children (8.6 ± 2.5 years old, six girls) received placebo treatment. RESULTS: Significant improvement was observed in the total score of ADHD rating scale (-4.8, 95% CI [-8.4, -1.1], = .011) and in the hyperactivity/impulsivity score (-3.0, 95% CI [-4.8, -1.1], = 0.002) for the Medicine group compared with the Placebo group, but not for inattention score (-1.9, 95% CI [-4.0, 0.2], = 0.078). No significant changes were observed in the physiological indicators of the children pre- and post-treatment, and no definite drug-related adverse reactions were reported. CONCLUSION: Jingling Oral Liquid has shown efficacy in managing ADHD, specifically targeting hyperactivity and impulsivity symptoms, and maintaining a favorable safety profile.
A Literature Review: Attention Profile in Preterm Children-It's Time To Act.
Jaeger DA, Gawehn N, Suchan B
J Atten Disord · 2025 Dec · PMID 40884059 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: Children born preterm are at an elevated risk of developmental challenges, often exhibiting a distinct "preterm behavioral phenotype" characterized by particular attention difficulties. This review focuses on...
OBJECTIVE: Children born preterm are at an elevated risk of developmental challenges, often exhibiting a distinct "preterm behavioral phenotype" characterized by particular attention difficulties. This review focuses on examining the phenotypical attention profile in preterm children aged 5 to 11 years, considering both clinical and neuropsychological aspects. METHOD: Following the PRISMA reporting guidelines, 22 peer-reviewed studies were analyzed. RESULT: According to behavioral-clinical aspects, preterm children appear to be at heightened risk for inattentive attention problems, including a predisposition to the predominantly inattentive presentation of ADHD. Regarding neuropsychological attention, deficits were identified in top-down controlled intensity processes as well as in certain components of selectivity and executive functioning. CONCLUSION: This review yields evidence that preterm children exhibit distinct and specific attention deficits during preschool and school age, characterized by a phenotypical clinical and neuropsychological attentional profile. Early identification of these issues is crucial, as it enables timely interventions to support school participation and mitigate the risk of learning difficulties, academic failure, and other secondary complications associated with attention deficits.
Associations Between Physical Activity, Insomnia, and Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome (CDS) Among Young Adults Using the Adult Concentration Inventory (ACI).
Sadeghi-Bahmani D, Eisenhut L, Mikoteit T … +4 more , Helfenstein N, Brühl AB, Dürsteler KM, Brand S
J Atten Disord · 2025 Nov · PMID 40884055 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Individuals with cognitive disengagement syndrome (CDS) report both lower physical activity levels and more insomnia than the general population. However, reliable data on adults with CDS are missing so far....
BACKGROUND: Individuals with cognitive disengagement syndrome (CDS) report both lower physical activity levels and more insomnia than the general population. However, reliable data on adults with CDS are missing so far. The aims of the present study were three-fold: (1) to investigate the associations between CDS and physical activity patterns among young adults, and more specifically dimensions of physical activity (walking time/week, bicycling time/week, and aerobic physical activity/week), (2) to explore, if CDS scores, physical activity patterns, and insomnia were interrelated, and (3) to explore, if physical activity was directly or indirectly associated with CDS via decreased insomnia. METHOD: A total of 246 young adult students ( = 22.62; 56.3% females) participated in the present cross-sectional study. They completed a booklet of questionnaires covering socio-demographic information, cognitive disengagement syndrome (Adult Concentration Inventory; ACI), physical activity patterns (International Physical Activity Questionnaire; IPAQ), and insomnia (Insomnia Severity Index; ISI). RESULTS: Higher scores for the ACI as a proxy of CDS were associated with lower physical activity patterns (durations of walking, bicycling, and aerobic exercising per week), and with higher scores for insomnia. Conditional effects modelings showed that while there was no direct and indirect association of physical activity on CDS scores, both a direct and indirect association of insomnia via lower physical activity on higher CDS scores was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Among a smaller sample of young adults, higher CDS scores were associated with lower physical activity patterns and with more insomnia. Given that standardized behavioral intervention programs are available to improve both daily and weekly physical activity patterns and insomnia, such interventions might also favorably improve CDS.
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