ADHD linked to increased risk of cognitive impairment in aging adults

A large-scale American study published in JAMA Psychiatry has identified a connection between Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and an increased risk of developing mild cognitive impairment or dementia in later life. Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh analyzed health and genetic data from approximately 187,000 adults aged 50 and older through the All of Us research program.

The study found that 6.7 percent of participants with ADHD were later diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment or dementia, compared to 3.4 percent of those without ADHD. While this indicates nearly double the risk, researchers emphasized that the study does not prove ADHD causes dementia, and the majority of participants with ADHD did not develop these conditions during the ten-year follow-up period.

Separate research highlights how ADHD often presents differently in women, frequently leading to delayed diagnoses. Data suggests women are diagnosed on average at age 29, compared to age 24 for men, often presenting with more severe symptoms, depression, and anxiety due to different manifestations such as inattention rather than hyperactivity.