MicroRNAs as potential biomarkers for diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Inappropriate levels of hyperactivity,impulsivity,and inattention characterize attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,a common childhood-onset neuropsychiatric disorder.The cognitive function and learning ability of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are affected,and these symptoms may persist to adulthood if they are not treated.The diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is only based on symptoms and objective tests for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are missing.Treatments for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children include medications,behavior therapy,counseling,and education services which can relieve many of the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder but cannot cure it.There is a need for a molecular biomarker to distinguish attention deficit hyperactivity disorder from healthy subjects and other neurological conditions,which would allow for an earlier and more accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment to be initiated.Abnormal expression of microRNAs is connected to brain development and disease and could provide novel biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.The recent studies reviewed had performed microRNA profiling in whole blood,white blood cells,blood plasma,and blood serum of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.A large number of microRNAs were dysregulated when compared to healthy controls and with some overlap between individual studies.From the studies that had included a validation set of patients and controls,potential candidate biomarkers for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children could be miR-140-3p,let-7g-5p,-30e-5p,-223-3p,-142-5p,-486-5p,-151a-3p,-151a-5p,and-126-5p in total white blood cells,and miR-4516,-6090,-4763-3p,-4281,-4466,-101-3p,-130a-3p,-138-5p,-195-5p,and-106b-5p in blood serum.Further studies are warranted with children and adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,and consideration should be given to utilizing rat models of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.Animal studies could be used to confirm microRNA findings in human patients and to test the effects of targeting specific microRNAs on disease progression and behavior.

Main focus of parents of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and the effectiveness of early clinical screening

BACKGROUND Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD)is a common mental and behavioral disorder among children.AIM To explore the focus of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder parents and the effectiveness of early clinical screening METHODS This study found that the main directions of parents seeking medical help were short attention time for children under 7 years old(16.6%)and poor academic performance for children over 7 years old(12.1%).We employed a two-stage experiment to diagnose ADHD.Among the 5683 children evaluated from 2018 to 2021,360 met the DSM-5 criteria.Those diagnosed with ADHD underwent assessments for letter,number,and figure attention.Following the exclusion of ADHD-H diagnoses,the detection rate rose to 96.0%,with 310 out of 323 cases identified.RESULTS This study yielded insights into the primary concerns of parents regarding their children's symptoms and validated the efficacy of a straightforward diagnostic test,offering valuable guidance for directing ADHD treatment,facilitating early detection,and enabling timely intervention.Our research delved into the predominant worries of parents across various age groups.Furthermore,we showcased the precision of the simple exclusion experiment in discerning between ADHD-I and ADHD-C in children.CONCLUSION Our study will help diagnose and guide future treatment directions for ADHD.

Nutritional epigenetics education improves diet and attitude of parents of children with autism or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder

BACKGROUND Unhealthy maternal diet leads to heavy metal exposures from the consumption of ultra-processed foods that may impact gene behavior across generations,creating conditions for the neurodevelopmental disorders known as autism and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder(ADHD).Children with these disorders have difficulty metabolizing and excreting heavy metals from their bloodstream,and the severity of their symptoms correlates with the heavy metal levels measured in their blood.Psychiatrists may play a key role in helping parents reduce their ultra-processed food and dietary heavy metal intake by providing access to effective nutritional epigenetics education.AIM To test the efficacy of nutritional epigenetics instruction in reducing parental ultra-processed food intake.METHODS The study utilized a semi-randomized test and control group pretest-posttest pilot study design with participants recruited from parents having a learning-disabled child with autism or ADHD.Twenty-two parents who met the inclusion criteria were randomly selected to serve in the test(n=11)or control(n=11)group.The test group participated in the six-week online nutritional epigenetics tutorial,while the control group did not.The efficacy of the nutritional epigenetics instruction was determined by measuring changes in parent diet and attitude using data derived from an online diet survey administered to the participants during the pre and post intervention periods.Diet intake scores were derived for both ultra-processed and whole/organic foods.Paired sample t-tests were conducted to determine any differences in mean diet scores within each group.RESULTS There was a significant difference in the diet scores of the test group between the pre-and post-intervention periods.The parents in the test group significantly reduced their intake of ultra-processed foods with a preintervention diet score of 70(mean=5.385,SD=2.534)and a post-intervention diet score of 113(mean=8.692,SD=1.750)and the paired t-test analysis showing a significance of P<0.001.The test group also significantly increased their consumption of whole and/or organic foods with a pre-intervention diet score of 100(mean=5.882,SD=2.472)and post-intervention diet score of 121(mean=7.118,SD=2.390)and the paired t-test analysis showing a significance of P<0.05.CONCLUSION Here we show nutritional epigenetics education can be used to reduce ultra-processed food intake and improve attitude among parents having learning-disabled children with autism or ADHD.

Early Intervention Facilitates Neuropsychological Development in Children with Autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Objective:This study aims to investigate the impact of early intervention on neuropsychological development in children with autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD),providing effective intervention strategies for clinical practice.Methods:A total of 130 children with autism and ADHD who visited the hospital between June 2023 and June 2024 were selected as study subjects and randomly divided into an intervention group and a control group,with 65 children in each group.The intervention group received a one-year early comprehensive intervention,including behavioral therapy,cognitive training,and family guidance,while the control group only received routine medical care.The neuropsychological development assessment scale was used to evaluate both groups before and after the intervention to compare changes in their neuropsychological development levels.Results:Children in the intervention group showed significant improvements in cognitive function,social skills,language ability,and attention concentration,with an average improvement score of 23.5 points.Children in the control group did not show significant improvements in these areas,with an average improvement score of only 5.8 points.The difference between the two groups was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion:Early comprehensive intervention has a significant promoting effect on the neuropsychological development of children with autism and ADHD.Targeted behavioral therapy,cognitive training,and family guidance can effectively enhance children’s cognitive,social,language,and attention abilities,laying a solid foundation for their future overall development.Therefore,it is recommended to actively promote and apply early intervention strategies in clinical practice.

Effect of non-pharmacological treatment on the full recovery of social functioning in patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

BACKGROUND Long-term treatment of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder(ADHD)is associated with adverse events,such as nausea and vomiting,dizziness,and sleep disturbances,and poor maintenance of late ADHD medication compromises treatment outcomes and prolongs the recovery of patients’social functioning.AIM To evaluate the effect of non-pharmacological treatment on the full recovery of social functioning in patients with ADHD.METHODS A total of 90 patients diagnosed with ADHD between May 2019 and August 2020 were included in the study and randomly assigned to either the pharmacological group(methylphenidate hydrochloride and tomoxetine hydrochloride)or the non-pharmacological group(parental training,behavior modification,sensory integration therapy,and sand tray therapy),with 45 cases in each group.Outcome measures included treatment compliance,Swanson,Nolan,and Pelham,Version IV(SNAP-IV)scores,Conners Parent Symptom Questionnaire(PSQ)scores,and Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale(WFIRS)scores.RESULTS The non-pharmacological interventions resulted in significantly higher compliance in patients(95.56%)compared with medication(71.11%)(P<0.05).However,no significant differences in SNAP-IV and PSQ scores,in addition to the learning/school,social activities,and adventure activities of the WFIRS scores were observed between the two groups(P>0.05).Patients with non-pharmacological interventions showed higher WFIRS scores for family,daily life skills,and self-concept than those in the pharmacological group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Non-pharmacological interventions,in contrast to the potential risks of adverse events after longterm medication,improve patient treatment compliance,alleviate patients’behavioral symptoms of attention,impulsivity,and hyperactivity,and improve their cognitive ability,thereby improving family relationships and patient self-evaluation.

Association of Serotonin Receptors with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder： A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder （ADHD） is one of the most common mental disorders in childhood, with a high heritability about 60% to 90%. Serotonin is a monoamine neurotransmitter. Numerous studies have reported the association between the serotonin receptor family （5-HTR） gene polymorphisms and ADHD, but the results are still controversial. In this study, we conducted a meta-analysis of the association between 5-HTRIB, 5-HTR2A, and 5-HTR2C genetic variants and ADHD. The results showed that the 861G allele of 5-HTRIB SNP rs6296 could significantly increase the risk of ADHD （OR= 1.09, 95% CI： 1.01-1.18）; the 5-HTR2C gene rs518147 （OR=1.69, 95% CI： 1.38-2.07） and rs3813929 （OR = 1.57, 95% CI： 1.25-1.97） were all associated with the risk of ADHD. In addition, we also carried on a case- control study to explore the relevance between potential candidate genes 5-HTR1A, 5-HTRIE, 5-HTR3A and ADHD. The results indicated that 5-HTRIA rs6295 genotype （CC＋CG vs. GG OR=Z00, 95% CI： 1.23-3.27） and allele （OR=1.77, 95% CI： 1.16-2.72） models were statistically significantly different between case group and control group. This study is the first comprehensive exploration and summary of the association between serotonin receptor family genetic variations and ADHD, and it also provides more evidence for the etiology of ADHD.

Celastrus paniculatus oil ameliorates synaptic plasticity in a rat model of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Objective:To explore the effect and mechanism of action of Celastrus paniculatus oil on the treatment of perinatal rats with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.Methods:In the perinatal stage,the rats were either isolated or administered with lead acetate to establish an animal model of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.Atomoxetine served as the reference standard.Animals’behaviours were assessed through Y-maze,novel object preference,fear conditioning and residentintruder aggression tests.Oxidative stress parameters,bioamine concentration(dopamine,noradrenaline and 5-hydroxytryptamine),nerve growth factor,interleukin-6,nuclear factor-κB,and tumour necrosis factor(TNF)-αwere estimated.Synaptophysin immunohistochemical assay was performed.Results:Celastrus paniculatus oil significantly improved behavioural parameters in Y maze,novel object preference,discrimination index,fear conditioning and resident intruder aggressive tests.The treatment groups showed a decrease in malondialdehyde level.Changes in the levels of dopamine,noradrenaline,and serotonin were restored by Celastrus paniculatus oil.Celastrus paniculatus oil increased nerve growth factor and decreased interleukin-6,nuclear factor-κB,and TNF-α.Synaptophysin immunoreactivity was also improved by Celastrus paniculatus oil with alleviated reactive gliosis,degeneration,and vascular proliferation.Conclusions:This research shows the therapeutic potential of Celastrus paniculatus oil for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

A Controlled Study of the Effectiveness of EEG Biofeedback Training on Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

In order to study the treatment of the children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the integrated visual and auditory continuous performance test (IVA-CPT) was clinically applied to evaluate the effectiveness of electroencephalogram (EEG) biofeedback training. Of all the 60 children with ADHD aged more than 6 years, the effective rate of EEG biofeedback training was 91.6 % after 40 sessions of EEG biofeedback training. Before and after treatment by EEG biofeedback training, the overall indexes of IVA were significantly improved among predominately inattentive, hyperactive, and combined subtype of children with ADHD (P<0.001). It was suggested that EEG biofeedback training was an effective and vital treatment on children with ADHD.

Connectivity differences between adult male and female patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder according to resting-state functional MRI

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder（ADHD） is a pervasive psychiatric disorder that affects both children and adults. Adult male and female patients with ADHD are differentially affected, but few studies have explored the differences. The purpose of this study was to quantify differences between adult male and female patients with ADHD based on neuroimaging and connectivity analysis. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans were obtained and preprocessed in 82 patients. Group-wise differences between male and female patients were quantified using degree centrality for different brain regions. The medial-, middle-, and inferior-frontal gyrus, superior parietal lobule, precuneus, supramarginal gyrus, superior- and middle-temporal gyrus, middle occipital gyrus, and cuneus were identified as regions with significant group-wise differences. The identified regions were correlated with clinical scores reflecting depression and anxiety and significant correlations were found. Adult ADHD patients exhibit different levels of depression and anxiety depending on sex, and our study provides insight into how changes in brain circuitry might differentially impact male and female ADHD patients.

Serum ferritin levels in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and tic disorder

BACKGROUND Iron plays an important role in neurodevelopmental functions in the brain.Serum ferritin levels are different in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and tic disorder than in healthy children.AIM To explore the current status of iron deficiency in children with neurodevelopmental disorders and its sex and age effects.METHODS A total of 1565 children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD),1694 children with tic disorder(TD),93 children with ASD and 1997 healthy control children were included between January 1,2020,and December 31,2021 at Beijing Children's Hospital.We describe the differences in age levels and ferritin levels between different disease groups and their sex differences.The differences between the sexes in each disease were analyzed using the t test.The incidence rate of low serum ferritin was used to describe the differences between different diseases and different age groups.A chi-square test was used to analyze the difference in the incidence of low serum ferritin between the disease group and the control group.Analysis of variance was used for comparisons between subgroups,and regression analysis was used for confounding factor control.RESULTS A total of 1565 ADHD patients aged 5-12 years were included in this study,and the average serum ferritin levels of male and female children were 36.82±20.64μg/L and 35.64±18.56μg/L,respectively.A total of 1694 TD patients aged 5-12 years were included in this study,and the average serum ferritin levels of male and female children were 35.72±20.15μg/L and 34.54±22.12μg/L,respectively.As age increased,the incidence of low serum ferritin in ADHD and TD first decreased and then increased,and 10 years old was the turning point of rising levels.The incidence of ADHD with low serum ferritin was 8.37%,the incidence of TD with low serum ferritin was 11.04%,and the incidence of the healthy control group with low serum ferritin was 8.61%,among which male children with TD accounted for 9.25%and female children with TD accounted for 11.62%.There was a significant difference among the three groups(P<0.05).In addition,there were 93 children with ASD with an average serum ferritin level of 30.99±18.11μg/L and a serum ferritin incidence of 15.05%.CONCLUSION In conclusion,low serum ferritin is not a risk factor for ADHD or TD.The incidence of low serum ferritin levels in children with ADHD and TD between 5 and 12 years old decreases first and then increases with age.

Common outcome,different pathways:Social informationprocessing deficits in autism spectrum disorder and attentiondeficit/hyperactivity disorder

Social functioning is a key domain of impairment in both autism spectrum disorder(ASD)and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder(ADHD).This review adopts the social information-processing model as the theoretical framework to compare and contrast the deficits of ASD and ADHD at each of the six steps of social information-processing.Both disorders show deficits at each step,but the nature and origins of the deficits are different.Thus,while both disorders exhibit a common outcome of social impairment,the exact pathways that each disorder traverses along the six steps of social information-processing are different.For ASD,there is a social knowledge/behaviour deficit arising from difficulties in social/emotional cue detection,encoding,and interpretation,leading to problems in joining and initiating social interaction.For ADHD,there is a performance deficit incurred by disruption arising from the ADHD symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity,while its acquisition capacity on social knowledge is relatively intact.The inattentive,intrusive,and impulsive behaviours of ADHD unsettle social interaction.Finally,this review proposes training targets for intervention along the six steps of the social information-processing model for ASD and ADHD,as well as areas for future research in further elucidating the social impairment of the two disorders.

Visual-Motor Perceptual and Reading Processes of Schoolchildren With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Objectives:Compare and relate the performance of schoolchildren with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder(ADHD)and with good academic performance in the visual-motor perceptual and reading processes.Method:Twenty schoolchildren,of both genders,aged between nine and 11 years old,participated in this study.They were divided into two groups:Group I(GI):comprising 10 students diagnosed with ADHD;and Group II(GII):10 students with good academic performance paired according to gender,age group,and educational level with GI.All students were submitted to the Developmental Test of Visual Perception(DTVP 3)and Reading Processes Assessment Protocol(PROLEC).Results:There was lower performance of GI compared to GII in the subtests of copying,eye-hand coordination,and figure-ground in the standard score of general visual perception and visual-motor integration.GI presented lower performance in all reading processes except for the punctuation marks test.There was a statistically significant difference in the comparison between GI and GII regarding the classification of reading processes.A relationship was identified between the reading and visual perception subtests in the GI students,demonstrating a relationship between the visual perceptual motor skills and the reading processes in the group of students with ADHD.Conclusion:Schoolchildren with ADHD performed less well than their peers with good academic performance in the visual-motor perceptual and reading skills;such that the worse their performance in the visual-motor perceptual processes,the worse their performance in the reading processes.

Perinatal Factors of Developmental Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Children

Background: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a common pediatric neurobehavioral disorder often treated in the primary care setting. It shows a high and chronic level of inattention, impulsivity/hyperactivity and/or both, and can affect more than 2 million school-age children. The researchers are not sure about the exact causes of the disorder, but it seems that apart from genetic factors, perinatal factors seem to dynamically contribute to the development of the disorder. Purpose: The aim of this review was to investigate the perinatal and obstetric factors related to the development of the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in childhood. Method: An online review of English language studies published from 2002 to 2020, using the Embase, PsychINFO, PubMed and Google Scholar databases. From 1100 studies only 17 were included in the review since they met the inclusion criteria. Conclusions: The results of the review showed that apart from heredity and genetic factors, various conditions in pregnancy or the mother’s way of life in pregnancy, adverse conditions in labor and infancy can contribute on their own or in combination to the development of the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in childhood. Obstetric vigilance to detect risk factors in pregnancy in combination with the prevention of obstetric complications is the key in preventing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Efficacy of Photobiomodulation for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Case Studies

Extensive research has now been conducted and published for the treatment of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, traumatic brain injury (TBI) and other brain disorders using photobiomodulation (PBM), also known as low-level laser therapy (LLLT). However, minimal information is available regarding the use of LLLT for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). We have been using LLLT in our practice for over 15 years addressing chronic pain and injury issues. However, our work with brain injuries is more recent, and we have published three case studies, one describing a serious traumatic brain injury and two describing our success with dementia/Alzheimer’s disease and PTSD. Currently, there is very little published evidence regarding efficacious therapy for ADHD. The case studies presented here, suggest that LLLT can provide alleviation of these symptoms, with some improvement reported after just a single treatment, without any need for pharmaceutical intervention.

Convergence mechanism of mindfulness intervention in treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder:Clues from current evidence

This paper reviews the underlying evidence for various aspects of the convergence mechanism of mindfulness intervention in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD).There may be compatibility among various ADHD remission models and the therapeutic mechanism of mindfulness intervention in ADHD may be mainly via the convergence mechanism.However,neuroimaging-based analysis of the mechanisms of mindfulness intervention in treating ADHD is lacking.Differences in the efficacy of various subtypes of mindfulness intervention,and corresponding specific imaging changes need further investigation.Future research may focus on the neuroimaging features of specific mindfulness intervention subtypes.

Review of barriers and interventions to promote treatment engagement for pediatric attention deficit hyperactivity disorder care

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD)is a common and impairing behavioral health disorder,impacting over 5%of children worldwide.There are multiple evidence-based pharmacological and psychosocial treatments for ADHD,and greater service utilization is associated with improved acute and long-term outcomes.However,long-term outcomes are suboptimal as multimodal treatments are often not accessed and most care ends prematurely.This narrative review discusses barriers to engagement for children and adolescents with ADHD and their families as well as interventions to overcome these barriers.Families face a variety of structural and attitudinal barriers,ranging from cost and access to stigma and low self-efficacy to successfully implement change.There are multiple interventions that may enhance engagement with ADHD care including psychoeducation,integration of behavioral services in general medical settings,telehealth as well as specific adaptations to existing ADHD treatments,such as the use of motivational interviewing or shared decision making.Integration of behavioral health into general medical settings and telehealth have been found in controlled studies to increase access by reducing both structural and attitudinal barriers.Adding motivational interviewing,shared decision making and other engagement interventions to evidence-based ADHD treatments has been found to reduce attitudinal barriers that translates into improved participation and satisfaction while enhancing outcomes.However,little is known about how to promote extended engagement with ADHD services even though a chronic care model for ADHD is recommended.

Overview of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

This paper aims to provide an effective overview of ADHD(Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder),so that educators and other individuals who may be involved in the treatment of ADHD patients,especially young patients,can effectively obtain basic information about what is ADHD,the causes of ADHD,and the popular treatment methods of ADHD.Various literature and studies were referred to in this paper to review and compare different causes and treatments.Researches held distinct opinions about the causes of ADHD,and the debate focuses on the nature and nurture factors of ADHD.Some studies believe ADHD is inborn and genetic while other studies emphasize the importance of nurture factors during their life,such as the environment that patients grow up in and the lifestyle they have.Depending on distinct arguments,there developed different treatments like using medication to prevent the situation from deteriorating further and changing the environments that patients living in through taking interventions with the family.These arguments and treatments will be discussed in detail in this paper.

Age-related connectivity differences between attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder patients and typically developing subjects：a resting-state functional MRI study

Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder（ADHD） is a disorder characterized by behavioral symptoms including hyperactivity/impulsivity among children,adolescents,and adults.These ADHD related symptoms are influenced by the complex interaction of brain networks which were under explored.We explored age-related brain network differences between ADHD patients and typically developing（TD） subjects using resting state f MRI（rs-f MRI） for three age groups of children,adolescents,and adults.We collected rs-f MRI data from 184 individuals（27 ADHD children and 31 TD children;32 ADHD adolescents and 32 TD adolescents;and 31 ADHD adults and 31 TD adults）.The Brainnetome Atlas was used to define nodes in the network analysis.We compared three age groups of ADHD and TD subjects to identify the distinct regions that could explain age-related brain network differences based on degree centrality,a well-known measure of nodal centrality.The left middle temporal gyrus showed significant interaction effects between disease status（i.e.,ADHD or TD） and age（i.e.,child,adolescent,or adult）（P 0.001）.Additional regions were identified at a relaxed threshold（P 0.05）.Many of the identified regions（the left inferior frontal gyrus,the left middle temporal gyrus,and the left insular gyrus） were related to cognitive function.The results of our study suggest that aberrant development in cognitive brain regions might be associated with age-related brain network changes in ADHD patients.These findings contribute to better understand how brain function influences the symptoms of ADHD.

Behavioral and Neural Enhancing Effects of a Summer Treatment Program in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Deficiency in executive functioning is a core symptom of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The brain part responsible for executive functions is the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Although drug-based interventions can improve PFC activity, reports on PFC activity being improved by behavioral treatment are lacking. We evaluated whether a summer treatment program (STP) administering comprehensive behavioral treatment would increase PFC activity in children with ADHD. We examined behavioral and neural changes in 20 children before and after the STP, conducted over a 2-week period. We asked the parents/guardians to complete the Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham IV scale to assess severity of ADHD. The main task evaluating executive control was the reverse Stroop task. To examine changes in physiological indices, we used near-infrared spectroscopy to measure changes in PFC activity. Subjective assessments by parents/guardians indicated that ADHD symptoms improved significantly. There was also significant improvement in the number of correct responses and interference rates in the reverse Stroop task. Furthermore, post-intervention PFC activity was significantly higher. These results suggest that the STP improved inhibitory control in executive function, which is considered as a key symptom of ADHD. The increase in PFC activity further suggests that the STP improves cognition through neural function.

Comparison of horse and cow milk on sleep disorders in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder:a double-blind randomized clinical trial study

Approximately 25%–50%of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder have sleep problems.The aim of this study is to compare the effect of horse milk with conventionally-fed cow’s milk on sleep disorders in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.In this randomized double-blind crossover study,30 patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder were randomly selected and divided into two groups.All patients underwent a 45-day period of horse milk consumption and a 45-day period of cow milk consumption and they continued their drug treatment.A one-week interval between two periods of milk consumption was considered as the washout period.The severity of sleep disorder in the studied patients was determined based on the short form of the Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire(CSHQ).Twenty-two(73.3%)male and eight(26.7%)female patients were included in this study.The mean age of the patients was 8.9 years.Our results showed that horse milk consumption improved the CSHQ score.For the group of patients consuming horse milk prior to cow milk,reductions of total CSHQ(P-value=0.001)and subscale 1(P-value<0.001)scores were significant.For the group of patients consuming cow milk first,in addition to the total CSHQ(P-value<0.001),subscale 3(P-value=0.001)and 4(P-value=0.009)dropped significantly.On the other hand,the results indicated that cow milk consumption increased the CSHQ score.Specifically,for the group of patients consuming horse milk first,the total CSHQ(P-value=0.001),subscale 3(P-value=0.016),and subscale 4(P-value=0.010)increased significantly.The mean values of the first,second,third,and fourth subscales of CSHQ before and after the washout period were not significantly different between the two groups.According to the study,consuming horse milk was significantly better than cow milk in improving the total score of CSHQ in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.