18 October 2023 , 05:54
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People who are diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) in adulthood could be at greater risk of dementia later in life, a study suggests.
Researchers looked at the medical records of more than 100,000 people, finding those diagnosed with ADHD as adults appear to have almost three times the risk of being diagnosed with dementia at an older age. While experts cautioned that the study did not establish whether the apparent link was cause and effect, they say it highlights the need to explore possible connections.
The team of researchers say processes involved in adult ADHD may reduce the ability of the brain to compensate for the effects of processes that can happen later in life including neurodegeneration or blood flow in the brain - vascular demenitia. Dr Stephen Levine, the first author of the study at the University of Haifa said: "This is consistent with the primary result that adult ADHD increases dementia risk, and mild evidence of reverse causation."
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The study began in January 2003, when 109,218 people who were on average 57.7 years old had their tracked their records until February 2020. Findings showed 730 people were diagnosed with adult ADHD over the study period, 13% of whom were also diagnosed with dementia. While here were 7,630 dementia diagnoses (7%) among those who did not receive an adult ADHD diagnosis.
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The team found those who were diagnosed with adult ADHD during the study had a 2.77 times greater risk of being diagnosed with dementia. Dr Levine added that the team could not say if the results extended to childhood ADHD and that the study could not prove cause and effect.
Adult ADHD can lead to unstable relationships, poor work or academic performance, low self-esteem, major mood swings and other problems (Getty Images)Adult ADHD can lead to unstable relationships, poor work or academic performance, low self-esteem, major mood swings and other problems. Though it's called adult ADHD, symptoms start in early childhood and continue into adulthood.
In some cases, ADHD is not recognised or diagnosed until the person is an adult. Due to an unprecedented few years and a multitude of other factors, the rise of women being diagnosed with ADHD has shot up.
Symptoms of ADHD in adults can include:
- Poor organisational skills, which can affect your ability to carry out work-related tasks or manage finances
- Frequently starting new projects before finishing old ones
- Finding it difficult to focus on tasks or prioritise work
- Forgetfulness and frequently misplacing or losing things
- Restlessness that can make it difficult to complete lengthy tasks
- Difficulty keeping quiet and not waiting your turn to speak in meetings or general conversation
- Mood swings, irritability and extreme impatience which may affect relationships both at home and at work
- Struggling to cope in stressful situations
- Taking unnecessary risks
- A reduced sense of danger.