A Review of the Neurobiological Mechanisms and Treatment Options of ADHD Across Different Age Groups

Authors

  • Yixuan Li Keiser University, Fort Lauderdale, United States

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62051/xyne9159

Keywords:

ADHD; Age factors; Pharmacological approaches; non-pharmacological approaches; Emerging treatments.

Abstract

This review paper synthesizes academic research to explore various aspects of ADHD, including its neurobiological mechanisms involving the basal ganglia, prefrontal cortex (PFC), and the roles of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and norepinephrine. It also examines how treatment approaches for ADHD vary across different age groups, emphasizing the need for special consideration in specific age groups, such as preschool children and older adults, due to factors like medication tolerability and physical condition. Additionally, the paper discusses emerging medications and non-pharmacological treatments, as well as established pharmacological treatments like stimulants and non-stimulants. Given the heterogeneity of symptoms and the individual responses to treatment, the significance of personalized treatment approaches in ADHD management is highlighted in this paper. Furthermore, it advocates for continued exploration into the pathophysiology of this disorder and the development of innovative therapeutic strategies to meet the specific needs of different individuals, thereby improving outcomes for affected individuals across the lifespan.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

[1] Information on: https://www.cdc.gov/adhd/about/index.html.

[2] Information on: https://www.cdc.gov/adhd/data/index.html.

[3] Information on: http://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/adhd-rates-by-country#title.

[4] F. Levy, Dopamine vs Noradrenaline: Inverted-U Effects and ADHD Theories, Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 43 (2009) 101 - 108. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00048670802607238

[5] I. Laskowska, E.J. Gorzelańczyk, the role of basal ganglia in controlling cognitive functions, Neuropsychiatr. Neuropsychol. 4 (2009) 26 - 35.

[6] A. Cubillo, K. Rubia, Structural and functional brain imaging in adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, Expert Rev. Neurother. 10 (2010) 603 - 620. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1586/ern.10.4

[7] M. Pozzi, S. Bertella, E. Gatti, G.G.A.M. Peeters, C. Carnovale, S. Zambrano, M. Nobile, Emerging drugs for the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Expert. Opin. Emerg. Drugs. 25 (2020) 395 - 407. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14728214.2020.1820481

[8] J. K. Johnson, T. Liranso, K. Saylor, G. Tulloch, T. Adewole, S. Schwabe, A. Nasser, R.L. Finding, J.H. Newcorn, A phase II double-blind, placebo-controlled, efficacy and safety study of SPN-812 (extended-release viloxazine) in children with ADHD, J. Atten. Disord. 24 (2019) 348 - 358. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1087054719836159

[9] J. Golmirzaei, H. Mahboobi, M. Yazdanparast, G. Mushtaq, M.A. Kamal, E. Hamzei, Psychopharmacology of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: effects and side effects, Curr. Pharm. Des. 22 (2016) 590 - 594. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2174/1381612822666151124235816

[10] J. W. Seok, B. Soltis-Vaughan, B.J. Lew, A. Ahmad, R.J.R. Blair, S. Hwang, Psychopharmacological treatment of disruptive behavior in youths: systematic review and network meta-analysis, Sci. Rep. 13 (2023) 6921. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-33979-2

[11] R. Drechsler, S. Brem, D. Brandeis, E. Grunblatt, G. Berger, S. Walitza, ADHD: Current concepts and treatments in children and adolescents, Neuropediatrics. 51 (2020) 315 - 335. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0040-1701658

[12] M. Dobrosavljevic, H. Larsson, S. Cortese, The diagnosis and treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in older adults, Expert. Rev. Neurother. 23 (2023) 883 – 893. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14737175.2023.2250913

[13] S. Cortese, N. Adamo, C.D. Giovane, C. Mohr-Jensen, A. J. Hayes, S. Carucci, L.Z. Atkinson, L. Tessari, T. Banaschewski, D. Coghill, C. Hollis, E. Simonoff, A. Zuddas, C. Barbui, M. Purgato, H.C. Steinhausen, F. Shokraneh, J. Xia, A. Cipriani, Comparative efficacy and tolerability of medications for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children, adolescents, and adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis, Lancet Psychiatry. 5 (2018) 27 - 738. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30269-4

[14] E. Flood, K. Gajria, V. Sikirica, P. Hodgkins, M.H. Erder, F. Lopez, D. Connor, Preferences for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) non-stimulant treatment characteristics among children and adolescents with ADHD and their caregivers, J Health Econ Outcomes Res. 3 (2016) 56 - 72. DOI: https://doi.org/10.36469/9842

[15] M. Michielsen, D. Kleef, D. Bijlenga, C. Zwennes, K. Dijkhuizen, J. Smulders, A. Hazewinkel, A.T.F. Beekman, J.J.S. Kooij, Response and side effects using stimulant medication in older adults with ADHD: An observational archive study, J. Atten. Disord. 12 (2021) 1712 - 1719. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1087054720925884

[16] M. Bleich-Cohen, G. Gurevitch, N. Carmi, M. Medvedovsky, N. Bregman, N. Nevler, K. Elman, A. Ginou, A. Zangen, E. L. Ash, A functional magnetic resonance imaging investigation of prefrontal cortex deep transcranial magnetic stimulation efficacy in adults with attention deficit/hyperactive disorder: A double blind, randomized clinical trial, Neuroimage. Clin. 30 (2021) 102670. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nicl.2021.102670

[17] S. Raz, Enhancing cognitive abilities in young adults with ADHD through instrumental music training: a comparative analysis of musicians and non-musicians, Psychol. Res. 89 (2024) 9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00426-024-02048-2

Downloads

Published

11-10-2025

How to Cite

Li, Y. (2025). A Review of the Neurobiological Mechanisms and Treatment Options of ADHD Across Different Age Groups. Transactions on Materials, Biotechnology and Life Sciences, 8, 226-230. https://doi.org/10.62051/xyne9159