- One study found that ADHD in adults was associated with an increased risk of dementia
- More research is needed to investigate the impact of ADHD medications like Adderall
- READ MORE: Questions a doctor asks to determine if you have ADHD
Adults with ADHD are not only at risk for the mood swings, restlessness and social problems associated with the disorder, they may also be at increased risk for dementia.
A study of more than 109,000 people found that adults diagnosed with the condition were almost three times as likely to be diagnosed with dementia later in life.
It is estimated that at least 14 million Americans have ADHD, and the numbers have been steadily increasing over the past decades.
Researchers collected data from members of an Israeli nonprofit health care organization born between 1933 and 1952.
The participants did not have an ADHD or dementia diagnosis before participating in the research group in 2003.
ADHD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a mental disorder characterized by inattention and impulsivity
Dementia is a general term for the reduced ability to recall memories, think or make decisions to the extent that this interferes with daily life. Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia
When they came in in 2003, the subjects were 51 to 70 years old. Researchers followed them in 2020 and found a 2.77-fold increased risk of dementia among people diagnosed with adult ADHD during the study period.
A total of 7,630 participants, or seven percent, were diagnosed with dementia within the study period.
Of participants diagnosed with ADHD, 43 percent were diagnosed with dementia at age 85, compared to 15.2 percent of people without ADHD.
By age 60, 1.6 percent of people with adult ADHD had been diagnosed with dementia, and 0.5 percent of people without adult ADHD had received the same diagnosis.
ADHD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a mental disorder characterized by inattention and impulsivity.
In adults, ADHD symptoms often include impulsiveness, poor time management, trouble concentrating on a task, disorganization, restlessness, mood swings, moodiness, and poor planning.
ADHD is a chronic condition and can have long-term negative consequences that can lead to other medical conditions if left untreated.
Dementia is a general term for the reduced ability to recall memories, think or make decisions to the extent that this interferes with daily life. Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia.
A study of more than 109,000 people found that adults diagnosed with ADHD were almost three times as likely to be diagnosed with dementia later in life
The team hypothesized that the association between adult ADHD and dementia could be due to possible brain processes that reduce the ability to compensate for the effects of neurodegenerative processes later in life.
The less cognitive reserve and brain reserve in people with ADHD may reduce the brain’s ability to compensate for aging and decline.
In addition, ADHD in adults appears to mimic some cognitive symptoms of dementia, such as memory loss.
Although people with ADHD may be prescribed a psychostimulant drug to control symptoms, there was no clear link between ADHD and an increased risk of dementia in those taking the drugs.
Despite previous research linking one of the drugs, Adderall, to dementia, the new study found it may have a protective effect.
Psychostimulants are cognitive enhancers and researchers have hypothesized that they may reduce the risk of dementia by altering the potential trajectory of cognitive impairment. There was mild evidence of reverse causation in people taking psychostimulants.
However, the team emphasized that more research is needed into the impact of ADHD medications on dementia.
Researchers published the study Tuesday in JAMA Network Open magazine.