Aug 2026· Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences· Vol 5· 0 citations· 43 references
Medicine
TL;DR
ACEs were associated with adult ASD and ADHD traits and related symptom subdomains in adulthood and linked to specific ASD symptoms and ADHD symptoms in adulthood.
Abstract
Abstract Aim In this study, we aimed to examine the associations between adverse childhood experience (ACE) exposure, adult autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) traits in a nationwide sample, and assess links with specific symptom subdomains. Methods We conducted a cross‐sectional analysis using 2024 data from the Japan “Society and New Tobacco” Internet Survey. Adults (N = 29,268; ≥18 years) completed self‐reports including the 10‐item ACE questionnaire (categorized: 0, 1, 2, 3, or ≥4 ACEs), Autism‐Spectrum Quotient short form, and Adult ADHD Self‐Report Scale. Logistic regression models assessed associations between ACEs and positive ASD (score ≥ 7) and ADHD (score ≥ 4) screens, adjusting for demographics, health, mental distress (K6), and alcohol use. Results Among respondents, 4.9% reported experiencing ≥4 ACEs. Positive screening rates were 11.9% for ASD traits and 7.7% for ADHD traits. ASD traits were only associated with high ACE exposure (≥4 ACEs: odds ratio [OR] 1.29, 95% confidence intervals [CIs] 1.11–1.49). ADHD traits showed a dose–response relationship starting at 1 ACE (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.00–1.31), and increased with greater exposure (≥4 ACEs: OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.45–1.98). High exposure was linked to specific ASD symptoms (e.g., social and communication difficulties) and ADHD symptoms (e.g., disorganization, task avoidance, and hyperactivity). Conclusion ACEs were associated with adult ASD and ADHD traits and related symptom subdomains in adulthood.
Abstract Aim Attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a recognized related factor for gambling problems. Although ADHD frequently co‐occurs with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), the interaction of these factors on gambling has not been fully explored in a large general population sample. We aimed to investigate the associations of ADHD traits, ASD traits, and ACEs with problem gambling. Methods Using data from an internet survey that includes 32,000 Japanese participants, we evaluated the associations of ADHD traits, ASD traits, ACEs scores, and their interaction with problem gambling ratio through multivariable logistic regression analysis controlling for 14 confounders. We used the Problem Gambling Severity Index to assess problem gambling, the Japanese version of the Adult ADHD Self‐Report Scale (ASRS) to assess ADHD traits, the ten‐item Japanese version of the Autism‐Spectrum Quotient (AQ‐10) to assess ASD traits, and the ten‐item Japanese version of the questionnaire to assess ACEs. Results Problem gamblers exhibited significantly higher weighted rates of ASRS positive, AQ‐10 positive, and high ACEs score. The weighted multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that ASRS positive, AQ‐10 positive, and high ACEs score were significantly associated with problem gambling. Additionally, a significant interaction between ASRS positive and AQ‐10 positive was observed. Conclusion ADHD traits, ASD traits, and high ACEs scores were associated with higher odds of problem gambling. The co‐occurrence of ADHD traits and ASD traits showed a negative multiplicative interaction on the odds ratio of problem gambling.
Kazusa Miyahara, Atsuko Nagaoka, Mizuki Hino et al.· Psychiatry and Clinical Neur...· 0 citations
Although the observed 4:1 ratio aligns with global trends, the findings suggest under-identification of females, and gender-sensitive diagnostic tools are needed to improve detection and understanding of ASD in females.
Nishant Prabhakaran, S. Kaku, Ann Maria Moncy et al.· Journal of Autism and Develo...· 0 citations
OBJECTIVE
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), cerebral palsy (CP), and developmental delay are major childhood neurodevelopmental disorders. Sibling status and birth order may influence neurodevelopmental outcomes, yet population-based evidence remains limited. This study examined their associations with childhood neurodevelopmental disorder risks in a nationwide birth cohort.
METHODS
We analyzed 2,045,178 live births from Taiwan's Birth Registration Database (2004-2014), linked to National Health Insurance and Death Registry records through 2020. CP, developmental delay, ASD, and ADHD were identified using ICD codes. Children were classified by sibling status and birth order using maternal identifiers. Kaplan-Meier and Cox models estimated adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs), controlling for maternal age, birth period, perinatal factors, socioeconomic status, and urbanization.
RESULTS
Compared with single children, those with siblings generally showed lower risks of CP and ASD, whereas associations with ADHD and developmental delay varied according to birth order. Later birth order was associated with lower recorded risks of ASD and ADHD. Similar patterns were observed after excluding multiple births and in analyses restricted to diagnoses before 6 years of age.
CONCLUSIONS
Family structure, including single-child status and birth order, was associated with childhood neurodevelopmental disorder risks. Compared with children who had siblings, single children generally had higher risks across multiple neurodevelopmental outcomes. These findings suggest that family structure may represent an important early-life context for neurodevelopment and may help inform developmental surveillance in societies experiencing declining fertility rates and delayed childbearing.
Yi-Yu Su, Chi-Jen Chen, Mei-Huei Chen et al.· Early Human Development· 0 citations
Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autism-like symptoms
are increasingly linked with environmental and lifestyle factors, including
rising screen time exposure in children. Evidence suggests potential
associations between digital media use and neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Aim: To systematically review the association between increased screen
time and autism-like symptoms in children and adolescents.
Methods: This review followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Databases
including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Google
Scholar were searched (2010–2025). Eligible studies included observational,
cohort, cross-sectional, longitudinal, and interventional designs assessing
screen exposure and ASD-related outcomes in individuals aged 0–18 years.
Data were narratively synthesized due to heterogeneity.
Results: A total of 45 studies were included. Of these, 22 demonstrated direct
associations between higher screen exposure and autism-like traits, including
social communication deficits, language delay, and increased ASD symptom
severity. The remaining 23 studies provided supportive evidence linking
screen time with sleep disturbances, sedentary behavior, behavioral
dysregulation, and reduced quality of life. Cohort and interventional studies
suggested temporal relationships and potential improvement in symptoms
following screen reduction.
Conclusion: Excessive screen time is consistently associated with autismlike symptoms in children, although causality remains uncertain due to study
design limitations. Early-life exposure may represent a modifiable risk factor
warranting preventive guidelines.
Unknown authors· European Journal of Prosthod...· 0 citations
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a predominantly childhood-onset neurodevelopmental disorder. However, ADHD is not limited to childhood. The disorder has a highly heterogeneous developmental trajectory from childhood into adulthood, ranging from full remission to persistence of ADHD with adverse outcomes. The research in this thesis largely used data from the 18-year follow-up study of the IMAGE/NeuroIMAGE cohort. This follow-up successfully included 421 participants, among which adults (Mage = 28.84) with childhood ADHD (n = 154), their siblings (n = 138), and controls (n = 129). Outcomes collected at follow-up included 51 measures across 7 domains of functioning, including psychiatric status, behavioral and emotional problems, academic and professional functioning, adaptive functioning, neurocognitive functioning, physical health,
and healthcare service use.
Compared to their siblings and controls, adults with childhood ADHD showed worse long-term outcomes on more than 60% of the outcomes across the 7 domains of functioning, while their other outcomes were similar. Most group differences lay in the domains of behavioral and emotional problems, adaptive functioning, and neurocognitive functions. These negative outcomes seemed to be largely independent of a current ADHD diagnosis, as both the group with persistent ADHD and the group with remitted ADHD differed from the controls on the majority of outcomes. Siblings did not show an increased risk of negative outcomes.
Among adults with a history of childhood ADHD, only 26% used ADHD medication in adulthood. Also, they were 3 to 7 times more likely to use neurological medications (analgesics and NSAIDs). Differences in medication use largely disappeared after adjusting for a current ADHD diagnosis or depression. Overall, differences between men and women were comparable to those observed in the general population; there was no evidence of a "double burden" of sex regarding ADHD.
Our meta-analyses showed that a history of stimulant use was associated with an increased risk of ADHD persistence. Additionally, ADHD persistence was associated with an increased risk of depression and addiction. Our own machine-learning-based prediction models did not predict long-term ADHD outcomes any better than conventional logistic regression. Despite suboptimal performance, several potentially relevant predictors were identified: anxiety symptoms, autistic traits, and childhood motor coordination problems.
The key takeaway is that the developmental trajectory into adulthood is heterogeneous and difficult to predict. While one group will achieve average adult functioning, adults with a childhood ADHD diagnosis have an elevated risk of difficulties, particularly psychiatric disorders and behavioral or emotional problems. In our sample, childhood stimulant use was not associated with long-term functional outcomes (assessed more than 10 years later).
Background: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was a common neurodevelopmental disorder among school-going children, with Indian prevalence estimates ranging widely (5–25%) depending on setting and screening tools. Socioeconomic status (SES) had been proposed as a key determinant of ADHD risk, acting through chronic stress, reduced healthcare access and inconsistent parenting. To determine the prevalence of ADHD among school-going children aged 7–12 years and to examine its association with socioeconomic status.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2024 to October 2025 among 400 children aged 7–12 years, recruited from Government/Government-aided schools around Chidambaram (community-based) and a tertiary hospital paediatric OPD (hospital-based confirmation) using multistage cluster sampling. ADHD was screened using the Vanderbilt Assessment Scale (teacher-completed), with positive screens confirmed via CBCL evaluation and psychiatric assessment. SES was classified using a standard composite scale. Associations were assessed using chi-square testing and multivariate logistic regression (p<0.05 considered significant).
Results: Overall ADHD prevalence was 11.0% (44/400), with a significant association found between ADHD and SES (p=0.041); prevalence rose as SES declined, from 6.3% in the upper class to 12.5% in the lower-middle and upper-lower classes. Adjusted odds remained elevated for lower-middle (AOR 1.72), upper-lower (AOR 1.65) and lower-class (AOR 1.58) children relative to the upper class but did not retain significance after adjustment for gender, family type and parental education.
Conclusions: Approximately one in ten children had ADHD, with a consistent gradient of higher prevalence among lower and lower-middle socioeconomic strata. SES appeared to act alongside other familial and psychosocial factors rather than independently, supporting broader, multi-factorial intervention strategies.
Ummu Gulthoom M., Saravanan S., Ilangumaran L. et al.· International Journal of Con...· 0 citations
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