Dementia risk more than quadruples among adults with common disorder

Key Points:

• A University of Pittsburgh study involving over 187,000 adults aged 50+ found that ADHD is associated with a significantly increased risk of dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI), with cognitive impairment observed in 6.7% of those with ADHD versus 3.4% without.
• After adjusting for variables like age and gender, individuals with ADHD had more than four times the risk of developing dementia or MCI, and those with the highest genetic susceptibility to ADHD had a 35% greater dementia risk than those with the lowest.
• Researchers caution that the study shows an association but does not prove causation, noting that overlapping symptoms and difficulties in healthcare management for people with ADHD may contribute to the increased risk.
• Experts highlight that lifestyle factors such as maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol, staying physically active, and controlling chronic conditions can help reduce overall dementia risk.
• The study underscores the need for further research into the mechanisms linking ADHD and cognitive decline, as well as potential interventions to support healthier cognitive aging.