There is no author summary for this article yet. Authors can add summaries to their articles on ScienceOpen to make them more accessible to a non-specialist audience.
Abstract
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a childhood-onset neurodevelopmental
disorder with a prevalence of 1·4-3·0%. It is more common in boys than girls. Comorbidity
with childhood-onset neurodevelopmental disorders and psychiatric disorders is substantial.
ADHD is highly heritable and multifactorial; multiple genes and non-inherited factors
contribute to the disorder. Prenatal and perinatal factors have been implicated as
risks, but definite causes remain unknown. Most guidelines recommend a stepwise approach
to treatment, beginning with non-drug interventions and then moving to pharmacological
treatment in those most severely affected. Randomised controlled trials show short-term
benefits of stimulant medication and atomoxetine. Meta-analyses of blinded trials
of non-drug treatments have not yet proven the efficacy of such interventions. Longitudinal
studies of ADHD show heightened risk of multiple mental health and social difficulties
as well as premature mortality in adult life.