Long-term effects of ADHD? The study associates the disorder with Parkinson's disease, but do not worry

Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common condition in children that affects their behavior and ability to learn in the classroom.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the neurodevelopmental disorder affects about 11% of children and adolescents aged 4 to 17 years. However, with medications and other treatments, it's quite manageable.

That said, a new study links ADHD, its drugs and Parkinson's disease. This is the first study to link the two conditions.

The article raises many questions, but that does not seem to be a cause for concern. For now, there is no evidence that ADHD or its treatments "cause" Parkinson's disease.

Here's what you need to know.

What is ADHD?

Described for the first time in the late 1960s, ADHD is a disorder that affects both adults and children. Common symptoms include inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity.

Although scientists do not know what causes ADHD, they believe that it comes from an unknown combination of a person's genetics, certain factors during pregnancy, and the environment in which they live.

Since children and adolescents were among the first to be diagnosed with ADHD – validation of adult diagnoses did not occur until the early 2000s – experts are not familiar with the long-term effects of the disorder, especially in the elderly.

How is ADHD treated?

Doctors use various methods to treat ADHD, including medications, behavioral coaching, and education. Medications are usually very effective and stimulants like methylphenidate (Ritalin) and mixed amphetamine salts (Adderall) are usually first-line treatments.

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What does the new study show?

The study, published Wednesday in Neuropsychopharmacology, found that people with ADHD appeared to be at risk of developing Parkinson's disease or Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease, a movement disorder commonly seen in the elderly, is thought to result from a loss of dopamine – a neurotransmitter responsible for movement regulation – in the brain.

Researchers at the University of Utah conducted the study by examining Utah's medical records to see how many ADHD patients had developed these movement disorders. They then compared their results to Parkinson's rates among the non-ADHD population.

They found that people with ADHD were more than twice as likely to develop one of the movement disorders, while the prescribed stimulants presented a "particularly pronounced" risk – 8.6 times higher than the people without ADHD. This increased risk, however, is still low if we consider the overall risk of Parkinson's disease in the general population – only 0.1 to 0.2% of adults and 1% of over 60s develop it. .

The study also has several limitations. On the one hand, some of the patients may have been misdiagnosed at the outset – there is no medical test for ADHD, which means that it can only be diagnosed as By observing the symptoms. In addition, many patients included in this study were diagnosed at the first description of ADHD, so that there could be a learning curve to establish accurate diagnoses.

The severity of ADHD is also limited – the results of the study may only concern the most severe forms of ADHD, more likely to be diagnosed so early in the history of the disorder. Finally, in its findings, the study combined cases of Parkinson's disease with Parkinson's disease, making the exact relationship with ADHD unclear.

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Should you stop using an ADHD medicine?

"I certainly would not recommend getting rid of Ritalin or other effective drugs," said study author Dr. Glen Hanson at ABC News. However, "this benefit / risk ratio has tilted a bit".

Stimulants have been shown to be extremely effective in treating ADHD. Stopping medications can cause the onset of ADHD symptoms, perhaps worse than before.

Clearly, this link requires more research. And with better detection methods, future studies should be able to draw more definitive conclusions.

Currently, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends prescribing medication for school-age children and adolescents.

ADHD affects many people. If you have questions about ADHD or its medications, talk to your doctor about which treatment is best for you.

Dr. Jonathan Steinman is a radiology physician and writer at ABC News Medical Unit.