Pathogenesis and pathophysiology of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: from childhood to adulthood

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: Knowledge and perception of dental care providers at Ajman

Aim:

This study aimed to improve our understanding regarding attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) awareness among dental care providers of Ajman University (AU), and also to identify factors that are highly associated with an increased awareness toward ADHD.

Materials and Methods:

This is a cross-sectional survey study designed and carried out among convenience sample of dental care providers. The survey was carried out by using a self-administrated questionnaire. The questionnaire was composed into demographic, socioeconomic, and ADHD information.

Results:

The study shows low level of awareness toward ADHD. Moreover, participants who provided treatment for a patient with ADHD were found to show higher degree of awareness toward ADHD.

Discussion:

The existing results will be used in developing a well-planned program and clear polices to increase the level of awareness regarding ADHD.

Biomarkers for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A consensus report of the WFSBP task force on biological markers and the World Federation of ADHD

OBJECTIVE

Psychiatric "nosology" is largely based on clinical phenomenology using convention-based diagnostic systems not necessarily reflecting neurobiological pathomechanisms. While progress has been made regarding its molecular biology and neuropathology, the phenotypic characterization of ADHD has not improved. Thus, validated biomarkers, more directly linked to the underlying pathology, could constitute an objective measure for the condition.

METHOD

The task force on biological markers of the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP) and the World Federation of ADHD commissioned this paper to develop a consensus report on potential biomarkers of ADHD. The criteria for biomarker-candidate evaluation were: (1) sensitivity >80%, (2) specificity >80%, (3) the candidate is reliable, reproducible, inexpensive, non-invasive, easy to use, and (4) confirmed by at least two independent studies in peer-reviewed journals conducted by qualified investigators.

RESULTS

No reliable ADHD biomarker has been described to date, but some promising candidates (e.g., olfactory sensitivity, substantial echogenicity) exist. A problem in the development of ADHD markers is sample heterogeneity due to aetiological and phenotypic complexity and age-dependent co-morbidities.

CONCLUSIONS

Most likely, no single ADHD biomarker can be identified. However, the use of a combination of markers may help to reduce heterogeneity and to identify homogeneous subtypes of ADHD.

ADHS im Jugendalter

Ausgehend von der Betrachtung der ADHS als Lebensspannenerkrankung geht die vorliegende Studie der Frage nach, inwieweit Symptome einer adulten Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit-/Hyperaktivitätsstörung (ADHS) bereits im Jugendalter auftreten und Folgen für die klinische Praxis haben. Auf der Basis einer Repräsentativdatenerhebung wurde eine Stichprobe von N = 140 Jungen und Mädchen im Alter zwischen 14 und 19 Jahren erhoben. Mittels der eingesetzten Verfahren ADHS-E, SF-12, SWLS und PHQ-15 und PHQ-9 wurden Zusammenhänge zwischen den ADHS-Symptomen im Erwachsenenalter und Lebenszufriedenheit bzw. Lebensqualität über psychische und körperliche Symptome bei Heranwachsenden untersucht. Dabei konnte die ADHS als ein wesentlicher Faktor für die Beeinträchtigung der Lebenszufriedenheit und Begünstigung von Depressivität in der Adoleszenz ausgemacht werden. Für die klinische Praxis ergibt sich daraus ein veränderter Blickwinkel auf die Lebenszufriedenheit von Jugendlichen im Allgemeinen und auf zusätzliche psychische Belastungen im Rahmen einer adoleszenten Form der ADHS im Besonderen.