ADHD Reading Links: Crashes, Smoking and Drugs

I will be finishing up the April Brain Posts focus on ADHD next week. 

Looking over nearly 300 research abstracts in ADHD published over the last year, five caught my attention.

Here are the five that I will review over the weekend.

I post a more detailed analysis on two of the manuscripts next week.

All reading links include a link to the free full-text manuscript for readers with more interest in a specific topic. Click on the title to be directed to the manuscript.

Risk of Road Crashes in Adult ADHD Drivers

This study examined 777 adult drivers in France who were involved in a road crash. The authors found a diagnosis of ADHD doubled risk for a crash (Odds ratio 2.18) and when ADHD combined with an external distraction the risk was elevated nearly 5-fold (Odds ratio 5.79)

Risk of nicotine use in ADHD

Adolescents with ADHD have higher rates of alcohol, illicit drug use and nicotine use and dependence. However, this association is complex and may relate to higher rates of other disorder in ADHD that drive substance use risk. In this study, adolescents with pure or ADHD only phenotypes did not have increase use of tobacco. Adolescents with ADHD and another disorder (oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorder) comprised 75% of the sample. This ADHD plus comorbidity group had a 50 % increase in tobacco use compared to controls.

Bupropion in the treatment of adults with ADHD

Stimulants such as methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine form the key drug category in the treatment of ADHD. Non-addictive, non-scheduled drugs are needed to expand clinician treatment options, particularly in populations at risk for drug misuse. Bupropion (a non-addictive antidepressant) has shown some promise in this area. In this manuscript from an Iranian research group, 150 mg of bupropion was superior to placebo in a group of adults with ADHD.

Guanfacine extended release in ADHD (1)
Guanfacine extended release in ADHD (2)

These two studies examine the efficacy and safety of the drug guanfacine in the treatment of ADHD in children. Combined they report findings on over 500 children between the ages of six and seventeen. Both studies found evidence for efficacy of guanfacine over placebo with mild to moderate side effects.

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