1. Amiri D, Shah SJ, Briziarelli L, Amiri S, Karlsson B. Metabolic Dysregulation in ADHD: Implications for Appetite, Sleep, Stress Reactivity, and Pharmacological Treatment. Metabolites. 2026; 16(8).

Background: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has traditionally been understood through executive and frontostriatal models, but increasing evidence suggests that metabolic, inflammatory, circadian, and neuroendocrine mechanisms may also contribute to clinical heterogeneity. The hypothalamus is a central regulatory hub for appetite, sleep-wake organization, stress responsivity, autonomic function, and endocrine signalling. Objective: This review evaluated evidence linking ADHD with hypothalamic inflammation and related metabolic, inflammatory, circadian, and neuroendocrine dysregulation, with particular emphasis on appetite regulation, sleep and circadian function, stress reactivity, and pharmacological treatment response and tolerability. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science Core Collection from database inception to 31 May 2026. Human observational and intervention studies formed the primary evidence base. Evidence was synthesized narratively. Where available, quantitative findings from previously published meta-analyses were summarized to provide an overview of the strength and consistency of the evidence. Results: The reviewed evidence indicates that ADHD is associated with increased obesity risk, altered appetite-related hormones, immune-inflammatory changes, delayed circadian timing, atypical cortisol responsivity, and treatment-related effects on appetite, sleep, cardiovascular physiology, and tolerability. The strongest quantitative evidence concerned obesity, inflammatory markers, appetite hormones, and type 2 diabetes risk. Direct evidence for hypothalamic inflammation in ADHD remains limited, but converging indirect findings support hypothalamic and neuroendocrine mechanisms as biologically plausible contributors in a subgroup of individuals with ADHD. Conclusions: ADHD appears to be associated with broader metabolic, inflammatory, circadian, and neuroendocrine vulnerabilities beyond its core attentional and behavioural symptoms. Hypothalamic pathways should be interpreted as a mechanistic hypothesis rather than an established causal mechanism. Future longitudinal and multimodal studies are needed to clarify causality and identify biologically defined ADHD subgroups.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

2. Chen W, Xiao Y, Wu X, Yuan L, Ruan M. Rethinking phenotypic motor differences in ADHD the roles of referral bias sex stratification and single‑source informant classification. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2026.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

3. Gignac M, Fansi AAK, Lunghi C, Diallo FB, Rochette L, Massamba V, Vasiliadis HM, Rahme E, Cortese S, Lesage A. Prevalence, Trends and Patterns of ADHD Medication Use Among Children, Adolescents and Young Adults in Quebec, Canada: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Population-Based Study From 2000 to 2022: Prévalence, tendances et profils d’utilisation des médicaments pour le TDAH chez les enfants, les adolescents et les jeunes adultes au Québec (Canada) : étude populationnelle transversale répétée, 2000-2022. Can J Psychiatry. 2026: 7067437261471748.

ObjectiveThe prevalence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has risen in recent decades. The objective of this study was to identify trends in prevalence rates of ADHD medication use as well as any patterns of ADHD medication use among individuals aged up to 24 years in Quebec, Canada.MethodWe conducted a repeated cross-sectional study using medico-administrative data between the fiscal years 2000 to 2001 and 2022 to 2023. We estimated crude and age-adjusted prevalence rates along with their 99% confidence intervals according to sex, age (only for crude estimates), material and social deprivation, and ADHD medication type, namely stimulants (amphetamine-based and methylphenidate-based medications) and non stimulants (atomoxetine and guanfacine). We also analyzed prescribing by prescriber type.ResultsAmong the 4,771,183 individuals aged ≤24 years, 7.7% claimed ADHD medications. Age-adjusted prevalence of ADHD medication use increased from 2000 to 2001 (1.9%) until 2017 to 2018 (7.9%) and plateaued afterwards. The analysis highlighted not only variations in medication use over time but also by sex, with males more likely to be prescribed these medications than females. Family physicians have become the primary prescribers, overtaking pediatricians in recent years. Stimulant medications were the most common treatment throughout the study period, though we observed diversification in prescribed ADHD medication types across age groups.ConclusionsThis study emphasizes a significant increase in ADHD medication use from 2000 to 2018 and a stabilization in use afterwards. The expansion of diagnostic criteria in 2013 and heightened awareness may have narrowed the disparity between the condition’s prevalence and its management and may explain the increase in use observed in earlier years and the stabilization observed over the more recent years. The disparities between males and females, as well as between age groups, highlight the need for continuous monitoring of prescribing trends and support targeted equity evaluations to inform service planning and improve access where needed. Plain Language SummaryHow has ADHD medication use changed in Québec from 2000 to 2022? changes by age, sex, medication type, prescriber specialty, and neighbourhood deprivation among children, adolescents, and young adultsAttention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental condition. Medications can reduce symptoms and are often used alongside non-pharmacological supports. This study describes how ADHD medication use changed over time in Québec among children, adolescents, and young adults. Using health administrative data from the Québec Integrated Chronic Disease Surveillance System, we examined fiscal years 2000-2001 to 2022-2023 among individuals aged 1 to 24 years whose dispensings were observable through coverage under the public drug plan during each year. We estimated the annual prevalence of ADHD medication use and described patterns by sex, age group, neighbourhood material and social deprivation, medication type, and prescriber specialty. ADHD medication use increased steadily from 2000-2001 to 2017-2018 and then stabilized; in 2022-2023, the age-adjusted prevalence was 7.6%. Prevalence was consistently higher among males than females. The highest prevalence shifted over time from children aged 6-11 years to adolescents aged 12-17 years, while use continued to rise among young adults aged 18-24 years. Stimulants remained the most frequently used medications, but prescribing diversified: methylphenidate-based medications became less dominant while amphetamine-based medications became more common. Family physicians became the most frequent prescribers over time, surpassing pediatricians. Prevalence also differed by neighbourhood deprivation, suggesting that socioeconomic context may be linked to patterns of use. These findings provide a long-term picture of ADHD pharmacotherapy in Québec and support continued monitoring to inform service planning and equity-oriented evaluation. eng.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

4. Habiba UE, Mateen N, Hong KS, Kim CS, Meng J, Lee H, Kim J. Cortical Region Reporting Patterns in Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Systematic Review of fNIRS Studies. Biosensors (Basel). 2026; 16(8).

Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a portable, non-invasive tool for studying cortical function in children with neurodevelopmental and neurological disorders. Although fNIRS use is increasing, heterogeneous study paradigms and cortical targets have limited cross-condition comparisons and the identification of shared research priorities. This systematic review maps cortical regions and reporting patterns in five key conditions-autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), cerebral palsy (CP), hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), and epilepsy (Ep)-from January 2015 to December 2025. A systematic search across five databases identified 72 relevant studies meeting PRISMA 2020 criteria, revealing both similarities and differences across disorders. The prefrontal cortex (PFC) was studied in all five conditions (5/5: 100%), making it the most consistently investigated cortical region. The parietal and temporal cortices were studied in 4 of 5 conditions (80%). The frontal cortex had the most regions investigated, while the temporal cortex showed the most consistent coverage across conditions (2.25 conditions per region). Beyond regional preferences, condition-specific patterns were aligned with their disorder phenotypes: social brain networks in ASD, prefrontal executive systems in ADHD, sensorimotor changes in CP, cerebrovascular monitoring in HIE, and state-dependent changes in Ep. Across conditions, researchers found altered prefrontal activity, disrupted connectivity, and compensatory brain responses, supporting broader frameworks. Collectively, these findings identify the PFC as a shared target for transdiagnostic fNIRS investigations while highlighting important gaps in regional coverage and methodological consistency. Despite methodological differences, fNIRS shows promise for identifying both shared and unique brain patterns in pediatric neurodevelopmental and neurological disorders. This review provides a framework for prioritizing cortical targets and guiding future standardized fNIRS research in pediatric populations.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

5. Iacobucci G. ADHD and autism: 207% rise in complaints to NHS services as patients spend up to £4000 for private treatment. Bmj. 2026; 394: e100679.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

6. O’Neill S, Rostain AL, Rajendran K, Bedard AV. Editorial: Advances in the social determinants of health for college students with ADHD. Front Psychiatry. 2026; 17: 1830924.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)

7. Yépez-Verduga JV, Villacis-Macias CD. Mindfulness-based interventions in psychopedagogy for students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): a scoping review. Front Psychol. 2026; 17: 1844428.

INTRODUCTION: Mindfulness-based interventions have gained increasing relevance as complementary strategies for addressing attentional, behavioral, and emotional difficulties in individuals with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This study aimed to systematically map and analyze the scientific evidence on mindfulness-based interventions in populations with ADHD, focusing on their effects on attention, academic performance, and emotional well-being, as well as on methodological limitations and research gaps. METHODS: A scoping review was conducted following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines and the methodological recommendations of the Joanna Briggs Institute. Searches were performed in Scopus and Web of Science for original and review articles published in English or Spanish. The Population-Concept-Context framework guided the eligibility criteria. After duplicate removal and a structured screening of titles, abstracts, and eligible reports, 64 studies were included. Data were synthesized using descriptive, narrative, bibliometric, and thematic mapping approaches. RESULTS: The evidence indicates that mindfulness-based interventions may improve attentional regulation, executive functioning, academic engagement, emotional control, coping strategies, and psychological well-being among individuals with ADHD or related attentional difficulties. Neurocognitive studies also reported functional changes in brain regions associated with attention and emotional regulation. However, the findings were not consistent across all outcomes, particularly regarding core symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity. Important limitations included small sample sizes, heterogeneous intervention protocols, variable methodological quality, adherence difficulties, and limited longitudinal evidence. DISCUSSION: Mindfulness-based interventions represent promising complementary strategies for educational, psychopedagogical, and clinical settings, particularly for supporting attention and emotional self-regulation. Nevertheless, their effectiveness depends on context-sensitive implementation, participant adherence, and appropriate adaptation to the characteristics of ADHD. Future studies should use standardized protocols, larger and more diverse samples, longitudinal designs, and stronger evidence from underrepresented regions, particularly Latin America.

Lien vers le texte intégral (Open Access ou abonnement)