New findings published in the journal Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences are shedding new light on a possible link between Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and increased dementia risk. This includes an unprecedented focus on Alzheimer’s disease. The research indicates that adults with ADHD show a significant increase of iron in their brains. Furthermore, they display increased neurofilament light chain (NfL) concentrations in their bloodstream, potentially associated with ongoing neurodegenerative machinery.
Iron is essential for a number of brain processes, particularly neuronal myelination. The overaccumulation of iron in the cells can cause serious damage to nerve and immune cells. This iron overload has been linked to neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s. The research team used high-resolution brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to evaluate blood vessel health. Additionally, they used standardized psychometric testing to assess cognitive functions in the study participants.
Through their research, they discovered that people with early Alzheimer’s disease frequently present with increased levels of NfL in both cerebrospinal fluid and blood. Such an increase indicates the presence of neuroaxonal damage. Raised NfL levels are simple, effective biomarkers of neurodegenerative brain changes. In particular, adults with ADHD were found to have raised NfL levels in their blood plasma, suggesting possible neuroaxonal damage.
We discovered a very surprising thing — adults with ADHD have increased levels of iron in certain areas of the brain. These regions are very important to higher-order cognition. Or it may be this iron buildup that leads to the cognitive difficulties typically experienced by people with ADHD. The group’s main emphasis was on lifestyle and smoking status as well as BMI (body mass index). Their goal was to understand how these factors shape global brain health.
Marissa Sobolewski, one of the study authors, emphasized the need for a broader understanding of the interconnections between various neurological disorders.
“It is important that we begin to recognize that many diseases and disorders of the nervous system are co-morbid and share similar mechanisms of injury, like white matter and neuronal damage. Instead of studying these diseases and disorders in isolation, we should begin to study risk factors that these disorders share.” – Marissa Sobolewski
Additionally, the results present important questions about the long-term impact of brain changes associated with ADHD. Steve Allder, a coauthor on the study, added that while these changes are reversible in childhood, the danger lies with them carrying to adulthood.
“If ADHD-related brain changes persist into adulthood, the combination of oxidative stress, inflammation and neuroaxonal vulnerability could increase susceptibility to neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s.” – Steve Allder
Even in the face of these compelling insights, the authors warn us not to jump to firm conclusions based on the results. They noted the limited sample size in this study. Of these, only 32 of all participants enrolled were diagnosed with ADHD.
“The findings provide an interesting perspective on the long-term neurological effects of ADHD, but the study’s small sample size means broader conclusions should be approached with caution. More longitudinal research is needed to confirm whether brain iron accumulation and axonal damage directly increase dementia risk or if other factors (e.g., lifestyle, medication, genetics) contribute to the observed patterns.” – Research Team
As the knowledge of immediate and long-term neurological impact of ADHD grows, we should explore this correlation between iron accumulation and neuroaxonal integrity. This investigation is extremely important to understanding dementia risk. Researchers have called for larger studies to more fully understand these correlations and what they may mean for treatment and prevention strategies.
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