ADHD may increase dementia risk.Photo:GettyAdults with ADHD may be nearly three times more likely todevelop dementia, according to a new study that suggested there may be both lifestyle and biological links between the two.“The primary analysis indicated that an adult ADHD diagnosis was associated with a 2.77-fold increased dementia risk,” saidthe study, which followed more than 109,000 adults, and analyzed the dementia risk of those with an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood.Similar to children with ADHD, adults with ADHD may struggle with “difficulty paying attention, hyperactivity and impulsive behavior,” explains theMayo Clinic, which points out that in some cases, ADHD isn’t diagnosed until someone is an adult.AsMichal Schnaider Beeri, PhD, who co-authored the study, toldHealth, there is a link between the ADHD symptoms of impulsive behavior and poor lifestyle choices, which may contribute to dementia.ADHD may increase dementia risk.GettyThat may include “poor dietary habits and lack of exercise, obesity and hypertension, all of which contribute to dementia risk," she said.And as theNational Institute of Healthpoints out, “epidemiological studies showed that dietary fat intake is associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and dementia risk.”Dementia has also been linked to alcohol and drug use, according to theNational Institute of Health— which points out there is a “complicated relationship”between substance use disorders and ADHD.Lifestyle and behavioral influences aside, there could be an underlying neurobiological link between ADHD and dementia, Beeri adds.“It is conceivable that the neurobiology of ADHD contributes to compromised brain and cognitive reserve, increasing dementia risk in old age,” Beeri toldHealth.While a direct link between ADHD and dementia remains unknown,Sven Sandin, PhD, co-author of the study, toldHealththat “it is possible that some of the genetic causes of ADHD and the genetic causes of dementia are the same, and therefore there are similar genetic pathways to both disorders.”A previous2021 studyfound that the link between ADHD and dementia is stronger in men than it is in women.Dementia is the umbrella term for the “impaired ability to remember, think, or make decisions that interferes with doing everyday activities,” saysthe CDC, which points out that dementia is not a part of “normal aging.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
ADHD may increase dementia risk.Photo:Getty
Getty
Adults with ADHD may be nearly three times more likely todevelop dementia, according to a new study that suggested there may be both lifestyle and biological links between the two.“The primary analysis indicated that an adult ADHD diagnosis was associated with a 2.77-fold increased dementia risk,” saidthe study, which followed more than 109,000 adults, and analyzed the dementia risk of those with an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood.Similar to children with ADHD, adults with ADHD may struggle with “difficulty paying attention, hyperactivity and impulsive behavior,” explains theMayo Clinic, which points out that in some cases, ADHD isn’t diagnosed until someone is an adult.AsMichal Schnaider Beeri, PhD, who co-authored the study, toldHealth, there is a link between the ADHD symptoms of impulsive behavior and poor lifestyle choices, which may contribute to dementia.ADHD may increase dementia risk.GettyThat may include “poor dietary habits and lack of exercise, obesity and hypertension, all of which contribute to dementia risk,” she said.And as theNational Institute of Healthpoints out, “epidemiological studies showed that dietary fat intake is associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and dementia risk.”Dementia has also been linked to alcohol and drug use, according to theNational Institute of Health— which points out there is a “complicated relationship”between substance use disorders and ADHD.Lifestyle and behavioral influences aside, there could be an underlying neurobiological link between ADHD and dementia, Beeri adds.“It is conceivable that the neurobiology of ADHD contributes to compromised brain and cognitive reserve, increasing dementia risk in old age,” Beeri toldHealth.While a direct link between ADHD and dementia remains unknown,Sven Sandin, PhD, co-author of the study, toldHealththat “it is possible that some of the genetic causes of ADHD and the genetic causes of dementia are the same, and therefore there are similar genetic pathways to both disorders.”A previous2021 studyfound that the link between ADHD and dementia is stronger in men than it is in women.Dementia is the umbrella term for the “impaired ability to remember, think, or make decisions that interferes with doing everyday activities,” saysthe CDC, which points out that dementia is not a part of “normal aging.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Adults with ADHD may be nearly three times more likely todevelop dementia, according to a new study that suggested there may be both lifestyle and biological links between the two.
“The primary analysis indicated that an adult ADHD diagnosis was associated with a 2.77-fold increased dementia risk,” saidthe study, which followed more than 109,000 adults, and analyzed the dementia risk of those with an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood.
Similar to children with ADHD, adults with ADHD may struggle with “difficulty paying attention, hyperactivity and impulsive behavior,” explains theMayo Clinic, which points out that in some cases, ADHD isn’t diagnosed until someone is an adult.
AsMichal Schnaider Beeri, PhD, who co-authored the study, toldHealth, there is a link between the ADHD symptoms of impulsive behavior and poor lifestyle choices, which may contribute to dementia.
ADHD may increase dementia risk.Getty
That may include “poor dietary habits and lack of exercise, obesity and hypertension, all of which contribute to dementia risk,” she said.
And as theNational Institute of Healthpoints out, “epidemiological studies showed that dietary fat intake is associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and dementia risk.”
Dementia has also been linked to alcohol and drug use, according to theNational Institute of Health— which points out there is a “complicated relationship”between substance use disorders and ADHD.
Lifestyle and behavioral influences aside, there could be an underlying neurobiological link between ADHD and dementia, Beeri adds.
“It is conceivable that the neurobiology of ADHD contributes to compromised brain and cognitive reserve, increasing dementia risk in old age,” Beeri toldHealth.
While a direct link between ADHD and dementia remains unknown,Sven Sandin, PhD, co-author of the study, toldHealththat “it is possible that some of the genetic causes of ADHD and the genetic causes of dementia are the same, and therefore there are similar genetic pathways to both disorders.”
A previous2021 studyfound that the link between ADHD and dementia is stronger in men than it is in women.
Dementia is the umbrella term for the “impaired ability to remember, think, or make decisions that interferes with doing everyday activities,” saysthe CDC, which points out that dementia is not a part of “normal aging.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
source: people.com
