title: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in older adults: prevalence and possible connections to mild cognitive impairment.
abstract: Attentional deficits are frequently seen in isolation as the presenting sign and symptom of neurodegenerative disease, manifest as mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Persistent ADHD in the geriatric population could well be misconstrued as MCI, leading to the incorrect assumption that such persons are succumbing to a neurodegenerative disease process. Alternatively, the molecular, neuroanatomic, or neurochemical abnormalities seen in ADHD may contribute to the development of de novo late life neurodegenerative disease. The present review examines the issue of causality vs confound regarding the association of ADHD with MCI, suggesting that both are tenable hypotheses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA.
authors.forename: Nikki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ivanchak
authors.forename: Kristen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fletcher
authors.forename: Gregory A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Jicha
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015897:Comorbidity; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence