A groundbreaking study from Geneva University Hospitals (HUG) and the University of Geneva (UNIGE) suggests a potential connection between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and an increased risk of developing dementia in later life. The research, published in Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, highlights brain modifications in adults with ADHD that resemble those observed in individuals suffering from dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease.
The Link Between ADHD and Dementia Risk
ADHD, a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting approximately 3.5% of adults, is characterized by difficulty maintaining attention, along with excessive hyperactivity and impulsivity. While it commonly affects children and can significantly impact educational and social development, its effects often persist into adulthood, disrupting daily functioning.
Old age-related dementias, including Alzheimer’s disease, affect around 55 million people worldwide, with nearly 10 million new cases each year. Alzheimer’s, which accounts for 60-70% of dementia cases, is linked to changes in the brain similar to those observed in the ADHD brain.
The study from HUG and UNIGE identifies two critical markers—iron levels in the brain and neurofilament light (NfL) levels in the blood—as key indicators of this connection. Both of these markers are known to be associated with neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, and can be measured in the early stages of the disease.
Iron and Neurofilaments as Indicators
Researchers used quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) through MRI to assess brain iron content in 32 adults aged 25 to 45 with ADHD, as well as 29 healthy controls of the same age range. They also measured NfL levels in participants’ blood, a biomarker indicative of neuronal damage.
The results revealed higher iron accumulation in specific regions of the ADHD-affected brain, particularly the precentral cortex. Additionally, there was a significant correlation between iron levels and increased NfL levels in the blood, which suggests that both markers might be linked to neuronal damage and, potentially, neurodegenerative diseases later in life.
The Role of Iron and Neurofilaments in the Brain
While iron is essential for normal brain function, its excessive buildup can cause oxidative stress, damaging neurons and contributing to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. NfL, which is a marker of damage to the axons—the nerve fibers that transmit electrical impulses—further supports this link, as elevated levels in the blood indicate axonal injury in the brain.
The study’s findings underscore the potential risks for individuals with ADHD, suggesting that the combination of increased brain iron and NfL levels may contribute to a higher likelihood of developing dementia as they age.
Implications for Early Detection and Management
These findings represent a crucial step forward in understanding why individuals with ADHD might face a higher risk of dementia. Professor Paul Unschuld, a key researcher on the study, emphasizes the importance of these results in shaping targeted prevention strategies to reduce dementia risk in individuals with ADHD.
He adds that managing iron levels in the brain could be a potential avenue for reducing this risk, and advocates for further longitudinal studies to assess whether lowering iron levels might prevent dementia in individuals with ADHD later in life.
A Call for Proactive ADHD Management
This study highlights the critical need for early detection and management of ADHD, particularly in adulthood. By addressing ADHD proactively, we could potentially mitigate long-term cognitive risks, improving the quality of life for those affected by ADHD and possibly preventing future cognitive decline.
The research was funded by a SPARK grant from the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and opens new avenues for both ADHD treatment and dementia prevention, urging continued exploration into how these conditions may be interconnected.
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