Why this study matters

The results of recent studies have challenged the diagnostic dogma that holds ADHD has an onset before 12 years of age.

While the treatment goal for early-onset AD is prevention of disease progression, the majority of patients with late-manifestation ADHD respond to treatment, which ameliorates symptoms and improves the quality of life. Thus, distinguishing between late-manifestation ADHD and early-onset AD is important.

Study design

The study cohort was comprised of 446 patients attending a dementia specialty outpatient clinic. Those patients who were not diagnosed with dementia were evaluated for ADHD in a developmental disorders specialty outpatient clinic. The clinical characteristics of the patients diagnosed with ADHD were determined.

Results and conclusion

Seven of the 446 patients were diagnosed with ADHD. Unlike the patients who were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, the patients with ADHD were younger, exhibited inattention-related symptoms, had latent manifestations of ADHD, and the latent manifestations were triggered by a stressful life event.