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Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in older adults: prevalence and possible connections to mild cognitive

Nikki Ivanchak1, Kristen Fletcher, Gregory A Jicha

  • 1Department of Neurology and the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA.

Current Psychiatry Reports
|August 14, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Persistent ADHD in older adults may mimic mild cognitive impairment (MCI), potentially delaying diagnosis. This review explores whether ADHD causes MCI or if they are merely associated, finding both possibilities plausible.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Geriatric Medicine
  • Psychiatry

Background:

  • Attentional deficits are early signs of neurodegenerative diseases, often presenting as mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
  • Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in older individuals can be misdiagnosed as MCI.
  • The underlying mechanisms of ADHD may influence the development of late-life neurodegenerative conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the relationship between ADHD and MCI in the geriatric population.
  • To investigate the potential causality versus confounding factors in the association between ADHD and MCI.
  • To evaluate the diagnostic implications of persistent ADHD in elderly individuals.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies examining ADHD and MCI in older adults.
  • Analysis of potential neurobiological links between ADHD and neurodegeneration.
  • Discussion of clinical presentation and diagnostic challenges.

Main Results:

  • Persistent ADHD in the elderly can be mistaken for MCI.
  • ADHD's neurobiological features might contribute to developing new neurodegenerative diseases later in life.
  • The association between ADHD and MCI is complex, with causality and confounding as viable explanations.

Conclusions:

  • Distinguishing between ADHD and MCI in geriatric patients is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the precise relationship between ADHD and late-life neurodegenerative diseases.
  • Understanding this link can improve the management of cognitive decline in aging populations.

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