1. Araki M, Zoega H, Gillies M, Falster MO, Peiris D, Pearson SA, Larsson H, Costa JO. Cardiovascular Medicine Use Among Adults With ADHD: A Nationwide Study in Australia. J Atten Disord;2026 (Mar 27):10870547261418763.

BACKGROUND: Despite cardiovascular conditions being common in adults with ADHD, data on patterns of cardiovascular medicine use in this population are scarce. METHODS: Using dispensing claims for a 10% random sample of Australians, this population-based study comprised 14,753 adults with ADHD (defined as having ≥2 ADHD medicine dispensings in 2012-2020) who were 1:4 sex- and age-matched with 59,012 adults without ADHD (no ADHD dispensings). We estimated the prevalence of cardiovascular medicine use in 2021 among adults with and without ADHD, overall and by medicine type, sex, and age. Using Poisson regression, we calculated age- and sex-adjusted prevalence ratios (PRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to assess associations. RESULTS: Overall cardiovascular medicine use was more prevalent among adults with ADHD than those without (16.5% vs. 10.0%, aPR = 1.7, 95% CI [1.6, 1.7]), with the highest difference among those aged 18 to 29 years (aPR = 2.8, 95% CI [2.4, 3.1]). We observed increased differences in use of propranolol (3.2% vs. 0.7%), loop diuretics (0.8% vs. 0.4%), potassium-sparing diuretics (0.9% vs. 0.4%), cardiac therapy (0.8% vs. 0.5%), and antithrombotic agents (2.2% vs. 1.4%). Among females, we noted associations of ADHD with specific diuretic subgroups (loop, aPR = 2.8, 95% CI [2.1, 3.7]; potassium-sparing, aPR = 2.5, 95% CI [1.9, 3.3]). CONCLUSION: We identified an elevated prevalence of cardiovascular medicine use among adults with ADHD, particularly among younger people. We also observed distinct patterns in specific medicine use between sexes, suggesting potential sex-specific effect modification. Our findings underscore the importance of regular monitoring and management of cardiovascular health among people with ADHD across the lifespan.

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2. Blasco-Fontecilla H, Sánchez-Cerezo J, Gómez I, Abreu-Fernández G, Ortiz S, Villoria JF, Blanco M, García A, Ballesteros J, Martínez R, Gálvez G, Maestú F, López-Medrano Á. Measuring Accuracy (Classification Probabilities, Positive, and Negative Predictive Values) of Executive Function Electroencephalogram Metrics in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Diagnosis: Protocol for and Perspectives From the SINCRONIA Study. JMIR Res Protoc;2026 (Mar 27);15:e79150.

BACKGROUND: Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder worldwide, affecting approximately 5%-7% of school-aged children and 2%-5% of adults worldwide. However, there is still no reliable diagnostic tool for it. The lack of specific biomarkers further complicates the accurate diagnosis of ADHD. OBJECTIVE: The SINCRONIA study seeks to develop and optimize an electroencephalogram (EEG)-based ADHD diagnostic classification algorithm by identifying biomarkers that provide optimal diagnostic performance. METHODS: This protocol introduces a single-center, case-control study involving at least 165 participants, aged between 7 and 12 years, that is being conducted at the Puerta de Hierro University Hospital in Madrid, Spain. Participants will be allocated to 3 groups, including ADHD predominantly inattentive, ADHD predominantly combined or hyperactive/impulsive, and a control group, according to the best estimated diagnosis based on clinical interviews and a neuropsychological assessment that includes the Conners Continuous Performance Test. In addition, an EEG recording will be conducted separately, and functional connectivity metrics will be used to characterize brain networks associated with inhibitory control. The index test is expected to match or improve the clinical diagnosis of ADHD in children aged between 7 and 12 years and provide a set of eventual biomarkers that maximize diagnostic performance and provide pathophysiological clues. RESULTS: The SINCRONIA study began screening and recruitment in March 2023. Recruitment ended on December 11, 2024. A total of 165 eligible participants were enrolled. CONCLUSIONS: The SINCRONIA project is a high-quality, large-scale, unicenter study devoted to improving the objective diagnosis of ADHD by using EEG biomarkers. The EEG-based ADHD diagnosis is expected to have greater sensitivity and specificity than the Conners Continuous Performance Test.

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3. Bourke M, Walker JL, Thomas G, Fortnum K, O’Flaherty M. Association Between Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors and Mental Health Symptoms in Children With Autism and ADHD: A Latent Profile Analysis. Autism Res;2026 (Mar 27):e70238.

Healthy lifestyle behaviors, including physical activity, screen time, sleep, and diet quality, are important determinants of mental health, yet little is known about how these behaviors cluster among children with neurodevelopmental disorders. This study identified lifestyle profiles in children with autism and ADHD and examined associations with internalizing, externalizing, and irritability symptoms. Parents of children with a diagnosis of autism and ADHD (n = 523, 7-12 years, 67% male) reported on lifestyle behaviors and mental health outcomes. Latent profile analysis supported a four-profile solution that balanced statistical fit, parsimony, and theoretical interpretability. Profile 1 (19%) was characterized by very high levels of physical activity, moderate sedentary screen time, relatively high sleep, and above average diet quality. Profile 2 (50%) represented a balanced lifestyle, with moderate activity and sedentary screen time, adequate sleep, and the highest diet quality. Profile 3 (20%) showed low activity, elevated sedentary screen time, adequate sleep, and poor diet quality, while Profile 4 (11%) was defined by extremely high sedentary screen time, low activity, adequate sleep, and poor diet. Children in less healthy profiles characterized by high screen time and poor diet quality reported significantly higher internalizing symptoms compared to the highly active group. However, externalizing symptoms were highest in the highly active profile, and irritability was lowest in the balanced profile relative to both high activity and high screen time groups. Findings suggest that while very high physical activity may protect against internalizing symptoms, a balanced lifestyle combining moderate activity, limited screen use, adequate sleep, and good diet quality may best mental health in children with autism and ADHD.

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4. DallaVecchia A, Zink N, O’Connell SR, Betts SS, Noah S, Hillberg A, Oliva MT, Reid RC, Cohen MS, Simpson GV, Karalunas SL, Calhoun VD, Lenartowicz A. Beyond Neural Noise: Critical Dynamics Predict Slower Reaction Times in Adults With and Without ADHD. bioRxiv;2026 (Mar 17)

Historically, neural variability observed during task was interpreted as « noise, » assumed to obscure meaningful signal and thus something to be minimized both analytically by researchers and functionally by the brain. Changes to this signal-to-noise ratio have been proposed as a possible neural mechanism behind the increased reaction-time variability (RTV) in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, not all variability is the same – in some cases, variability can have some underlying « statistical structure » that can be beneficial to information processing. The challenge lies in distinguishing meaningful variability from random noise. The edge-of-synchrony critical point, which describes a system poised between synchronous and asynchronous regimes, could be a good theoretical framework to study these different types of neural variability. In this study, we investigate whether changes in criticality and oscillatory dynamics preceded slower behavioral responses during a bimodal continuous performance task in ADHD. We find evidence that, prior to slower responses, neural dynamics shift toward criticality in both ADHD and control groups, suggesting that increase variability in ADHD and during attention lapses are related to structured variability and not necessarily random noise. Notably, these findings run counter predictions based on the proposed model and previous literature on neural noise in this population, challenging predictions of edge-of-synchrony criticality as a unifying account of neural variability and behavioral performance. Furthermore, this effect did not emerge at the between-subject level, underscoring the limitations of relying on between-subject correlations to infer neural mechanisms. IMPACT STATEMENT: Our findings add new perspective to the hypothesis that links neural variability to reaction time variability in adults with and without ADHD. We found that neural dynamics shift towards criticality prior to slow reaction times in adults with and without ADHD, but in ADHD, dynamics lie closer to criticality regardless of response type, suggesting a different « attractor » state.

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5. Doi H, Nakamura Y, Nakai A, Kanai C, Ohta H. Comparison of cognitive ability and its distribution between men with autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. PLoS One;2026;21(3):e0345522.

OBJECTIVES: Clarification of the strengths and weaknesses of cognitive ability is essential to our understanding of the characteristics of autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. However, whether individuals with these conditions exhibit distinct patterns of cognitive ability remains unclear. To address this point, we aimed to compare the cognitive profiles of patients with autism spectrum disorder with those of patients with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder by placing special emphasis on the distribution of cognitive function within each group. METHODS: This study compared the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale index scores of men with autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. A machine learning model was trained to classify autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder based on the subtest scores. The conformity of the within-group distribution of each index score to a normal distribution was also tested. RESULTS: Individuals with autism spectrum disorder scored higher than those with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in the Verbal Comprehension Index and Working Memory Index, while the opposite pattern was observed for the Perceptual Organization Index. The classification performance of the machine learning model was above chance level. The distributions of the Verbal Comprehension Index and Perceptual Organization Index deviated significantly from a normal distribution only in the autism spectrum disorder group. The results of Gaussian mixture clustering indicated that men with autism spectrum disorder could be divided into two distinct clusters based on their Verbal Comprehension Index scores. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that men with autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder show distinct cognitive profile patterns from each other. The distribution of some of the index scores deviated from the normal distribution only in autism spectrum disorder, which supports the view that autism spectrum disorder comprises heterogeneous subgroups with different cognitive profiles.

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6. Ferahkaya H, Uzun N, Ağır H, Kılınç İ, Akkuş A, Coşkun F, Akça Ö F, Bilgiç A. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity and neurotrophic factors in drug-naive children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Front Psychiatry;2026;17:1774449.

BACKGROUND: Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a complex and not fully understood etiology. Increasing evidence suggests that neurotrophic factors involved in neurodevelopment and synaptic plasticity, as well as hormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis that regulate the stress response, may contribute to the pathophysiology of ADHD. METHODS: This cross-sectional study aimed to compare children diagnosed with ADHD and healthy controls with respect to serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and cortisol. A total of 80 children aged 6-18 years with a diagnosis of ADHD and 81 healthy controls were included in the study. The severity of ADHD symptoms was assessed using the Conners’ Parent Rating Scale-Short Version (CPRS-SV). Serum levels of biochemical parameters were measured using commercially available electrochemiluminescence immunoassay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. RESULTS: Compared with the healthy control group, the ADHD group exhibited significantly higher serum levels of BDNF, GDNF, VEGF, ACTH, and cortisol, whereas NT-3 levels did not differ between the groups. These group differences remained statistically significant after controlling for potential confounding variables. Correlation analyses revealed no significant associations between neurotrophic factors, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hormones, and CPRS-SV subscale scores. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings indicate that neurotrophic factors and hormones related to the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis are altered in medication-naïve children and adolescents with ADHD. The absence of a direct correlation between neurotrophic factors and HPA axis hormones suggests that these systems may contribute to the pathophysiology of ADHD through parallel yet partially independent and complex mechanisms. Future longitudinal and multimodal studies are warranted to elucidate the dynamic interactions between stress-related neuroendocrine processes and neurodevelopmental pathways in ADHD.

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7. Fongaro E, Leyrolle Q, Madore C, Lehmann S, Picot MC, Laye S, Purper-Ouakil D. Inflammatory and immune profiling in children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): a matched case-control study with longitudinal on/off psychostimulant assessment (ANIME). BMC Psychiatry;2026 (Mar 27)

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8. Goodwin A, Jones EJ, Charman T, Begum-Ali J, Pasco G, Mason L, Holman R, Salomone S, Hendry A, Bazelmans T, Smith TJ, Sonuga-Barke EJ, Bolton P, Wass S, Pickles A, Johnson MH. Randomised Controlled Trial of Gaze-Based Attention Training Intervention for Infants With a Family History of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Follow-up Outcomes at 2 and 3 Years. J Atten Disord;2026 (Mar 26):10870547261428660.

OBJECTIVE: A previous randomised controlled trial of a computerised gaze-contingent attention training for 9-to-16-month infants with a family history of ADHD (intervention, n = 20; control, n = 23) found no endpoint differences on the primary outcome (an eye-tracking composite score of infant attention) nor on secondary outcomes (parent and observer ratings of infant attention in naturalistic contexts). METHOD: Here, we report follow-up at age 2 and 3 years to examine whether there are longer-term effects of the training. The pre-specified primary outcome was parent-reported early ADHD traits. Secondary outcomes included parent-report of inhibitory control and attention; researcher-rated observational measures of attentiveness, activity level and inhibition; and eye-tracking measures of cognitive control, attention disengagement and sustained attention. RESULTS: At follow-up there was no intervention effect on the primary outcome parent-rated ADHD behaviours (effect size [ES] -0.28, 95% CIs -0.95 to 0.39). Secondary parent- and researcher-rated child behaviour and eye-tracking attention outcomes also did not significantly differ between the groups. The largest positive, albeit non-significant, effects were for the secondary outcomes parent-rated inhibitory control (ES = 0.42 (95% CIs -0.09 to 0.94) and the composite eye-tracking measure (ES = 0.40 (95% CIs -0.15 to 0.95). CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate the feasibility of conducting experimental trials targeting early emerging ADHD characteristics in infancy. The intervention did not lead to significant differences in parent- or researcher-rated early ADHD behaviours or eye-tracking measures of attention control. However, the trend for long-term effects on CBQ inhibition, the attention composite and sustained attention justifies further interest. Further development and modification of the attention training may be necessary to test whether the approach holds promise as a potential pre-emptive intervention for infants with an elevated likelihood of ADHD.

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9. Harkness K, Wilms M, Godfrey KJ, Bray S, Murias K. The Relationship Between Inhibitory Control of Attention and fMRI Functional Connectivity in Children With and Without ADHD. J Atten Disord;2026 (Mar 27):10870547261419585.

INTRODUCTION: Attention abilities can be represented within the population as a spectrum from low to high ability. Attention deficits are present in a number of neurodevelopmental disorders, including as a primary symptom of ADHD. When evaluating the relationship between brain networks and attention abilities, it is important to know whether this relationship is mediated by diagnosis to understand processes that contribute to disability and to determine if attention can appropriately be studied transdiagnostically. Functional connectivity (FC) within the brain has been studied in association with inhibitory attention and ADHD diagnosis separately, but it is unclear whether the relationship between inhibitory attention and FC is altered in individuals with ADHD. METHODS: We evaluated whether the relationship between inhibitory attention, as measured by the Flanker Inhibitory Control and Attention test, and FC was impacted by ADHD diagnostic status in children age 9 to 10 using the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development (ABCD) database. RESULTS: We found that, although there were significant associations between FC and both ADHD diagnosis and attention, the interaction between attention and diagnostic group was not significantly associated with functional connectivity. CONCLUSION: These results support that the relationship between attention and FC is not mediated by ADHD diagnosis and thus provides evidence for a transdiagnostic-dimensional relationship between FC and inhibitory attention.

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10. Hulsbosch AK, Beckers T, Furukawa E, Danckaerts M, Van Liefferinge D, Tripp G, Van der Oord S. Behavioral and Emotional Responding During Instrumental Learning in Children With ADHD: Reinforcement Schedule Effects. J Atten Disord;2026 (Mar 27):10870547261430072.

OBJECTIVE: Theoretical accounts of ADHD predict impaired learning under partial reinforcement and altered behavioral persistence under extinction. One of these theories (Amsel, 1992) postulates increased negative emotional responding (i.e., frustration) underlies these impairments, but to date emotional responding during instrumental learning has received limited attention. The current experimental study investigated behavioral and emotional responding during an instrumental learning task under different reinforcement schedules. METHODS: Eighty-four children with ADHD and 83 neurotypical children completed a simple instrumental learning task under a continuous (100%), partial (33%) or stretching ratio (i.e., schedule thinning; 100%-33%) reinforcement schedule, followed by a four-minute extinction phase. Negative and positive emotional expressions of the children were assessed during task completion. RESULTS: No group differences were found in either speed of acquisition or behavioral persistence under extinction with the reinforcement schedules applied in the current study. Across groups, partial reinforcement and stretching the ratios resulted in more behavioral persistence compared to continuous reinforcement, supporting the presence of a PREE effect. Children with ADHD showed more negative emotional expressions during both acquisition and extinction, irrespective of reinforcement condition. No diagnostic group or condition differences were found in the number of positive emotional expressions. CONCLUSION: Findings may have implications for instrumental learning based psychosocial treatments for children with ADHD, as their efficacy can be impacted by increased emotional responding.

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11. Ivanova M, Holstiege J, Akmatov MK, Müller D, Kohring C. The Incidence of AD(H)D-Spectrum Disorders in Adults: An Analysis of Nationwide Claims Data of the Statutory Health Insurance System in Germany, 2015-2024. Dtsch Arztebl Int;2025 (Dec 1);122(25):697-698.

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12. Liu Y, Yan Q, Zhao S, Ng S, Wang X, Ning Z. Mindfulness-based interventions for children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a Bayesian meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Front Psychol;2026;17:1711994.

BACKGROUND: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents is characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, and is frequently accompanied by impairments in executive functioning, task performance, and emotion regulation. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have been increasingly evaluated as non-pharmacological approaches for ADHD, but findings remain heterogeneous. OBJECTIVE: To synthesize evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effects of MBIs for youths with ADHD using a pre-registered Bayesian random-effects systematic review and meta-analysis, and to examine potential moderators (age) and dose-response relationships (contact hours). METHODS: We conducted a pre-registered Bayesian random-effects systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs evaluating MBIs in children and adolescents with ADHD. Seven databases were searched from inception to April 30, 2025, prioritizing immediate post-intervention outcomes. Seventeen RCTs (total n = 2,991) were included. Pooled effects were summarized as Hedges’ g with 95% credible intervals (CrIs). Symptom-domain subgroup models were performed, and heterogeneity was quantified using I(2) and τ(2). Age-stratified analyses (mean age >10 years vs. ≤ 10 years) and dose-response modeling based on contact hours were conducted. RESULTS: Across all outcomes, MBIs showed a small-to-moderate advantage over control conditions (Hedges’ g = 0.49, 95% CrI 0.37-0.62), with substantial heterogeneity (I(2) = 81.6%; τ(2) = 0.16). Domain-specific subgroup models indicated statistically credible improvements in inattention (Hedges’ g = 0.30, 95% CrI 0.12-0.50), hyperactivity/impulsivity (Hedges’ g = 0.54, 95% CrI 0.31-0.78), executive functions (Hedges’ g = 0.23, 95% CrI 0.05-0.43), global ADHD measures (Hedges’ g = 1.23, 95% CrI 0.65-1.80), and task performance (Hedges’ g = 0.37, 95% CrI 0.07-0.70). The estimate for emotion regulation was imprecise and included the null (Hedges’ g = 0.42, 95% CrI -0.08-0.92). Age-stratified analyses suggested larger effects in samples with mean age >10 years than in those with mean age ≤ 10 years. Dose-response modeling suggested that higher contact hours may be associated with greater improvements in selected domains (notably hyperactivity/impulsivity), although uncertainty remained in several domains. CONCLUSION: MBIs may be a promising complementary approach for improving ADHD-related outcomes in youths. However, substantial heterogeneity and risk-of-bias considerations warrant cautious interpretation and underscore the need for larger, methodologically rigorous RCTs. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view, Identifier: CRD420251079766 Public.

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13. McTaggart J, Thorell LB, Borg Skoglund C, Envall N, Kopp Kallner H. « Controlled by Female Hormones »: A Qualitative Interview Study of Swedish Women’s Experiences of Gender-Specific Aspects of Life With ADHD. J Atten Disord;2026 (Mar 26):10870547261427555.

OBJECTIVE: There is limited knowledge about how female specific factors such as fluctuating sex hormones influence symptom display and health-related conditions that are unique to, or more prevalent in females with ADHD. This study aims to investigate how women of reproductive age with ADHD experience their ADHD symptoms and well-being in relation to hormonal fluctuations, and secondly, how they perceive hormonal and reproductive counseling in healthcare. METHOD: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 women with ADHD and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Three main themes emerged from the analysis; (1) Controlled by female hormones, (2) Frustration with lack of knowledge/understanding, and (3) Living with ADHD and comorbidities. Many women have experienced challenges and fluctuations related to hormonal changes during their menstrual cycles and in different stages of life. Using hormones to stabilize mood and impulsivity and adjusting stimulant doses were suggested as potential solutions. Participants expressed frustration about the lack of knowledge, interest, and understanding from healthcare professionals regarding ADHD and how hormones influenced symptoms of ADHD and comorbidities in women. CONCLUSION: This qualitative study highlights the impact of cyclical hormonal fluctuations on daily functioning across the menstrual cycle. Specifically, participants reported cyclic patterns of high energy and productivity related to ovulation followed by low energy and difficulty managing tasks in the premenstrual week. This aligns with clinical experience, anecdotal evidence, and limited literature that suggest that women with ADHD may be particularly vulnerable to hormonal fluctuations. Our findings suggest that especially the premenstrual phase is a challenging time for women with ADHD. Our results emphasize the need for healthcare professionals to improve their understanding of the role sex hormones and the menstrual cycle play in female ADHD. The potential effect of adjusting ADHD medication dosage and introducing hormonal treatment for premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) in women with ADHD should be further explored.

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14. Mohamed Elashram RE, Bashshar A, El-Fiky M, Mousa MMA. Differences in Social Anxiety and Friendship Quality Among Adolescents With ADHD and Their Typically Developing Peers. J Atten Disord;2026 (Mar 26):10870547261425722.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined differences in social anxiety and friendship quality between Egyptian adolescents diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and their typically developing (TD) peers. It further investigated gender differences within the ADHD group and examined whether participant group (ADHD vs. TD) moderates the direction and strength of this relationship. METHODS: The sample included 383 adolescents aged 13-17 years (M = 15.03, SD = 1.44), comprising 173 adolescents diagnosed with ADHD and 210 TD peers. Using a comparative descriptive design, participants completed two culturally adapted measures assessing social anxiety and friendship quality. RESULTS: Results indicated that the participant group did not significantly moderate the association between social anxiety and friendship quality. Adolescents with ADHD reported higher social anxiety and lower friendship quality than TD peers. No gender differences emerged for social anxiety; however, girls with ADHD reported higher friendship quality than boys, particularly in the domains of support, closeness, and conflict resolution. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the presence of significant social-emotional challenges among Egyptian adolescents with ADHD and suggest the importance of future research to determine whether culturally adapted interventions would enhance treatment outcomes compared to standard evidence-based approaches in this population.

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15. Pan CH, Chiang TY, Huang CY, Chen WF, Lu TY, Pan CY. Evaluating the Efficacy of an Inline Skating Intervention for Improving Physical and Cognitive Functions in Taiwanese Children With ADHD: A Pilot Randomized Trial. Percept Mot Skills;2026 (Mar 27):315125261439040.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of an inline skating intervention on physical (fundamental movement skills [FMSs] and cardiovascular fitness [CF]) and cognitive (executive functions [EFs]) outcomes in children with ADHD. A pilot randomized trial, with an intervention lasting 12 weeks was conducted. During an initial 12-week phase, 13 children with ADHD (Group A) received the intervention (two sessions per week for 80 minutes per session), whereas another 13 children with ADHD (Group B) did not (true control, no intervention). During a second 12-week phase, Group B received the intervention, but Group A did not. Physical outcomes were assessed using the Test of Gross Motor Development-2 and the 20-m Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run, whereas cognitive outcomes were evaluated using the Stockings of Cambridge and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test at baseline, post-intervention, and 12-week follow-up for both groups. Following the 12-week intervention, children with ADHD in this study exhibited improved FMSs, CF, and specific EFs (all p < .05). Additionally, the intervention effects persisted for at least 12 weeks. This study provides a more comprehensive understanding of a 12-week inline skating intervention improved physical and cognitive functions in children with ADHD. Suggestions for delivering an inline skating intervention more broadly were also provided.

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16. Peng P, Chen Z, Ren S, He Y, Li J, Liao A, Zhao L, Shao X, Chen S, He R, Liang Y, Tan Y, Chen X, Tang J, Liao Y. Peer bullying victimisation and depressive symptoms as serial mediators between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms and internet gaming disorder among Chinese adolescents: A three-wave longitudinal study. Gen Psychiatr;2026 (Feb);39(1):e70012.

BACKGROUND: The association between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and internet gaming disorder (IGD) is well-established, yet the psychological mechanisms underlying this comorbidity remain underexplored. AIMS: Grounded in the dual failure model and the compensatory internet use model, this study examined peer bullying victimisation and depressive symptoms as serial mediators in the longitudinal association between ADHD symptoms and IGD severity among 20 137 Chinese adolescents. METHODS: Participants were assessed at baseline (T1, November 2020) and followed up at one (T2) and two years (T3). Standardised measures assessed peer bullying victimisation (Multidimensional Peer Victimisation Scale), ADHD symptoms (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire), depressive symptoms (9-item Patient Health Questionnaire) and IGD severity (Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form). Longitudinal path analysis with serial mediation tested the hypothesised pathway, adjusting for baseline covariates and prior symptoms. Subgroup analyses examined sex and developmental (early vs. late adolescence) differences. Sensitivity analyses included alternative mediation models, cross-lagged panel models and parallel-process latent growth curve models. RESULTS: Baseline ADHD symptoms directly predicted IGD severity and indirectly through peer bullying victimisation and depressive symptoms. These mediators accounted for one-third of the total effect. The bullying-related mediation pathway was evident only among boys and early adolescents, whereas depressive symptoms consistently mediated the association across sexes and age groups. Sensitivity analyses supported the robustness and temporal specificity of the proposed pathway. CONCLUSIONS: ADHD symptoms increase the risk of subsequent IGD through both direct and indirect pathways operating through peer bullying victimisation and depressive symptoms. This social-emotional mediation process is developmentally and sex contingent. These findings suggest that effective prevention and intervention for IGD in adolescents with ADHD should incorporate developmentally and sex-sensitive strategies that address peer victimisation and emotional distress in addition to core ADHD symptoms.

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17. Rafael RB, Jia H, Rouel M, Wootton BM, Mitchison D. Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)-Related Strengths in Adults: A Scoping Review. J Atten Disord;2026 (Mar 26):10870547261425737.

OBJECTIVES: Increasingly, people with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), their clinicians, and others have called for strengths-based approaches in the understanding of ADHD. A comprehensive and systematic review of ADHD-related strengths has not previously been published. Therefore, this study aimed to conduct a scoping review to determine the extent and type of empirical qualitative and quantitative research about strengths that may be related to ADHD in adults. METHODS: MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and Scopus were searched for published research. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global, PsyArXiv, and other websites were searched for unpublished studies or grey literature. RESULTS: A total of 125 studies were included (61 qualitative studies, 59 quantitative studies, 5 mixed methods studies). Most studies examined ADHD-related strengths a-priori (n = 88; 70%). The majority studied ADHD strengths or experiences in general terms (n = 68; 54%), rather than focussing on a specific strength or characteristic. It was observed that typical ADHD characteristics were sometimes perceived or redefined as strengths: interest-based attention or positive differences in attentional ability (n = 52; 42%), energy or positive differences in activity levels (n = 33; 26%), and adaptive risk-taking or positive aspects of impulsivity (n = 19; 15%). Other strengths identified across studies included: creativity (n = 82; 66%), prosocial attributes (n = 39; 31%), entrepreneurship (n = 14; 11%), resilience (n = 16; 13%), flexibility (n = 14; 11%), uniqueness (n = 16; 13%), and other characteristics (n = 24; 19%). CONCLUSIONS: Further research will help mental health professionals support people with ADHD through their challenges while helping them develop and utilise their strengths in contexts where they are most likely to flourish.Pre-registration:https://osf.io/43nd9.

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18. Rodríguez-Prieto P, Soler-Vázquez J, Ibáñez-Alfonso JA. Combined tDCS and Neuropsychological Treatment for Adult ADHD: A Single-Case Feasibility Study on Cognitive and Emotional Outcomes. Brain Sci;2026 (Mar 21);16(3)

Background/Objectives: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in childhood and it tends to remain during adulthood. It not only affects cognitive abilities and behavior but also often presents emotional disturbances and alterations in the perceived quality of life. These symptoms are primarily related to dysfunctions in the ventromedial and dorsolateral prefrontal network. The main objective was to evaluate the feasibility and explore the initial outcomes of an integrated protocol combining neuropsychological treatment and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Methods: This study presents a single-case experimental A-B design of a 21-year-old woman, diagnosed with predominantly inattentive ADHD, treated at the University Psychology Clinic of Loyola Andalucía University. The treatment was carried out twice a week for 5 weeks (10 sessions in total), with 20 min of anodal tDCS at F3 and cathodal tDCS at F4 (2 mA), while digital neurorehabilitation exercises and psychotherapeutic support were provided. Results: An overall significant improvement was observed in cognitive functions (p = 0.008), with clinically significant gains in cognitive flexibility, visual working memory, and planning. Mixed results were found in inhibition, with improvement in interference control but no change in response inhibition. No significant changes were observed in sustained attention, auditory working memory, or processing speed. In terms of emotional state, an overall improvement was noted (p = 0.046), particularly in depression symptoms and perceived quality of life related to physical and psychological health. However, no significant changes were observed in anxiety symptoms or in areas related to the environment and social relationships. These findings reflect pilot-level evidence of clinical change within a feasibility framework. Conclusions: The combined treatment was found to be safe and feasible, showing promising preliminary improvements in cognitive and emotional domains. As a single-case study, these results serve as hypothesis-generating evidence for future controlled trials.

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19. Torres AP, Toplak ME. Metacognitive Ratings on Cognitive Tasks: Task Difficulty and Effort Rating Differences in Children With ADHD and Neurotypical Children. J Atten Disord;2026 (Mar 26):10870547261428879.

OBJECTIVE: The role of metacognitive monitoring, or the subjective evaluation of performance during cognitive tasks, has been less well studied in children with ADHD compared to accuracy or performance on these tasks. Given that children with ADHD often display lower performance on cognitive tasks, particularly those involving executive attention and control, we examined whether metacognitive monitoring differed between children with ADHD and neurotypical children. METHOD: Eighty children aged 8-12 years (38 with ADHD, 42 neurotypical) completed a battery of cognitive tasks, including measures of intelligence, executive functioning (set-shifting and interference control), and an unstructured performance task (UPT). After each task, participants provided ratings of task difficulty and effort (how hard they tried). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Children with ADHD reported overall lower effort across cognitive tasks compared to neurotypical children; however, no group differences were found on task difficulty ratings. Metacognitive ratings of effort were significantly associated across performance tasks, suggesting that the degree of trying may reflect a trait-level factor. Ratings of task difficulty were generally weakly associated, suggesting ratings are influenced by task-specific factors. Metacognitive ratings of effort and task difficulty were not correlated, and these ratings were also distinct from task performance, with generally weak, non-significant associations. Metacognitive ratings of effort, not ratings of task difficulty, predict difficulties experienced by children with ADHD, beyond what is captured by performance on these tasks alone.

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20. Tripp G. Editorial: Parenting Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry;2026 (Mar 24)

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21. Woloszyn M, Hernandez-Vallant A, Palladino NT, Galindo B, Leese MI, Khan F, Kimchi EZ, Cerny BM, Phillips MS, Soble JR. Perceived Stress Is Associated With Lifetime ADHD Symptom Reporting Over and Above Anxiety and Depression: Implications for Psychiatric Evaluation and Treatment. J Psychiatr Pract;2026 (Mar 1);32(2):64-69.

INTRODUCTION: Diagnosing attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among adults is challenging, given reliance on retrospective symptom reporting and the overlap of core, nonspecific diagnostic symptoms with other psychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety. This study examined the effect of perceived stress on ADHD symptom reporting. METHODS: Cross-sectional data from 638 diverse adult outpatients referred for ADHD neuropsychological evaluation, who were administered the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and Clinical Assessment of Attention Deficit-Adult (CAT-A), were analyzed. Linear regressions were conducted with BDI-II/BAI (block 1) and PSS (block 2) as predictor variables and ADHD symptom endorsement in childhood and adulthood (CAT-A) as the dependent variable. RESULTS: PSS/BDI-II (r=0.648) and PSS/BAI (r=0.523) were moderately correlated. BDI-II and BAI significantly predicted overall ADHD symptom endorsement and current/adult symptom reporting, whereas only BAI predicted childhood symptoms. After entering the PSS in block 2, all models remained significant (P<0.001; R2=0.03 to 0.08), but BDI-II and BAI became nonsignificant; only perceived stress remained a significant predictor. The results were replicated after excluding those with potentially invalid ADHD symptom reporting, so that the PSS again was the only significant predictor of ADHD symptom endorsement (R2=0.02 to 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: Patients' subjective experience of stress was significantly associated with nonspecific inattention symptom endorsement among adults undergoing ADHD evaluation and shared more variance with attention complaints than active depression and anxiety symptoms. Findings emphasize routinely assessing perceived stress during psychiatric evaluation of ADHD, as high stress levels may masquerade as nonspecific inattention symptoms and contribute to misdiagnosis of ADHD if not considered/assessed, and high stress levels may also exacerbate genuine ADHD symptoms.

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22. Yu WX, Li ZB, Shao XY, Cai WJ, Wang M, Yang CH, Lu W. Evaluating the quality, reliability, and diagnostic risk of ADHD content on TikTok and Bilibili: A cross-sectional content analysis. Digit Health;2026 (Jan-Dec);12:20552076261434141.

BACKGROUND: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder requiring professional diagnosis. Recently, short-video platforms such as TikTok and Bilibili have seen a surge in ADHD-related content, driving a trend of self-diagnosis among the public, particularly young adults. The scientific quality and potential risks of this content have not been systematically evaluated. This study aimed to systematically evaluate the quality and reliability of ADHD content on TikTok and Bilibili, analyze its content characteristics, and specifically investigate the prevalence of content encouraging self-diagnosis and its association with user engagement. METHODS: The top 100 videos from each platform were retrieved using the keywords « ADHD » and « . » After a screening process, a total of 164 videos were included for analysis. Two senior clinical psychologists independently assessed the videos using the modified DISCERN (mDISCERN) tool and the Global Quality Score (GQS). Videos were classified by uploader type (e.g., healthcare professionals, patients/influencers) and content theme (e.g., symptom education, self-tests). A novel Self-Diagnosis Risk Scale (SDRS) was also applied. Nonparametric statistical methods were used for data analysis. RESULTS: A total of 164 videos were analyzed (88 from TikTok, 76 from Bilibili). Significant platform differences emerged, with Bilibili videos demonstrating superior quality scores (GQS: 3.05 ± 0.91 vs. 2.45 ± 0.88; mDISCERN: 2.62 ± 0.85 vs. 1.88 ± 0.72; both p < 0.001) but TikTok videos showing higher self-diagnosis risk (SDRS: 1.71 ± 0.51 vs. 1.30 ± 0.69; p < 0.001). Healthcare professionals produced the highest quality content (GQS: 3.65 ± 0.68; mDISCERN: 3.15 ± 0.81) with lowest diagnostic risk (SDRS: 0.75 ± 0.49), while patients/influencers created content with the lowest quality and highest risk scores. Critically, a "quality-engagement paradox" was identified: videos with higher self-diagnosis risk received significantly more user engagement (likes: r = 0.45, p < 0.001; shares: r = 0.42, p < 0.001), while quality metrics showed no significant correlation with user engagement measures. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals concerning patterns in ADHD-related content on major Chinese short-video platforms, where potentially harmful content encouraging self-diagnosis receives preferential algorithmic promotion over scientifically rigorous material. The inverse relationship between content quality and user engagement suggests current platform mechanisms may inadvertently amplify misleading health information while marginalizing evidence-based content. These findings underscore the urgent need for collaborative interventions involving platform operators, healthcare professionals, and public health educators to develop content guidelines, improve algorithmic curation of health information, and support healthcare professionals in creating engaging, evidence-based content. As social media platforms continue serving as primary health information sources, ensuring quality and safety of mental health content must become a priority for platform governance and public health policy.

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23. Zeng L, Ji Z, Gong X, Wang H, Jin Y, Guo J, Xue J, Su X, Liu Q, Han G, Chen S, Lin P, Huang Z, He A, Zhao L, Li X, Liu J. Resilience and coping styles mediate the associations of autistic and ADHD traits with internet addiction in general adolescents. Sci Rep;2026 (Mar 26)

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