Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common childhood-onset neurodevelopmental disorders, shared the Centres For Disease Control And Prevention, and an important risk factor for many psychiatric and general medical disorders.
Talking to the team of OnlyMyHealth, Dr Suresh Kumar Panuganti, Lead Consultant-Pediatric Critical Care and Pediatrics, Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad shared how ADHD is a big risk factor for dementia.
Link Between ADHD And Dementia
The Alzheimer's Association defined dementia as a general term for memory loss, language disability, poor problem solving skills, and difficulty thinking.
According to a study published in JAMA Network Open, being diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood increases your chances of getting dementia by almost 3-fold.
"A sizable portion of ADHD sufferers may experience symptoms well into elderly life. In fact, a number of reports have indicated cognitive impairment in adults who were diagnosed with ADHD as children," shared Dr Panuganti.
Although he shared that it's not yet known how susceptible ADHD patients are to dementia and moderate cognitive impairment. But there are certain links between the two diseases, he said, adding that "Reasonably plausible underlying mechanisms that are connected to both psychiatric disorders and dementia include elevated levels of oxidative stress and inflammation."
Also Read: New Research Suggests ADHD Can Be A Significant Risk Factor For Various Mental Health Issues
Stating some common risk factors of dementia in people suffering from ADHD, Dr Panuganti listed:
- Low educational attainment
- Learning disabilities in young age
- Common metabolic disorders like hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, and obesity
- Sleep disorders
- Head injuries
- Psychiatric disorders like depression, anxiety, addiction, and bipolar disorder
Defining how ADHD and dementia symptoms form a vicious loop, Dr Panuganti said, "In fact, when people reach adulthood, comorbid mental problems such antisocial disorders, mood and anxiety disorders, and drug addiction disorders are more common in those with a history of ADHD, which in turn lead to dementia."
ADHD A Risk Factor For Dementia
The results from the JAMA Network Open study prompted researchers to suggest that policy makers, caregivers, patients, and clinicians should monitor ADHD in old age to prevent the risk of dementia.
Stating some early risk factors of dementia that should be avoided at all costs by patients of ADHD, Dr Panuganti listed:
- Excessive alcohol use
- Head injuries
- Air pollution and second hand smoke
- Lower education
- Social isolation
- Hypertension
- Hearing impairment
- Smoking
- Obesity and diabetes
- Depression
- Physical inactivity
- Diabetes
For a cognitive disease like dementia, keeping a watchful eye on neurodevelopmental disorders like ADHD that impair your ability to focus and form memories, and disrupt your thinking, is essential.
