Bridging the gap between science and practice for ADHD

The focus of our research projects is bridging the gap between science and practice for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Projects:

1. empirical subtyping of ADHD: to what extent can we find more homogeneous subtypes of ADHD based on clinical, cognitive, and other characteristics?
2. prognosis of ADHD: can we identify different developmental trajectories of ADHD and comorbid symptoms? What are predictors of persistence, remittance and late-onset ADHD?
3. advanced cognitive profiling in clinical practice: A computerized cognitive test battery has been developed (the COTAPP: Cognitive Test Application) where an elaborate cognitive profile can be assessed in children aged 6 – 13 years in only 30 minutes and outcomes are readily available. This provides useful information for diagnostics and treatment in clinical practice.
4. observational tool: can we elicit and quantify the severity of ADHD and emotion dysregulation symptoms using a structured behavioral observation instrument?
5. differential diagnoses of ADHD and autism: which precursors, clinical characteristics and cognitive functions are common and unique to ADHD and autism spectrum disorder? Can these be of use in determining treatment targets in clinical practice?
6. ADHD in combination with emotion dysregulation: how prevalent is emotion dysregulation in individuals with ADHD? Is emotion dysregulation related to similar heritable and neurobiological underpinnings as ADHD symptoms?
7. diagnosis of ADHD in combination with a very low or very high (gifted) IQ: is ADHD in individuals with very low or high intelligence qualitative different from ADHD in individuals with an average intelligence? To what extent do standard diagnostic and treatment procedures need to be adapted for children with non-normal intelligence?
8. treatment of ADHD: are dietary interventions effective in treating ADHD? Also in the long term? Which children benefit most?
9. ADHD and bullying/stress: individuals with ADHD have an increased risk of being bullied and to experience stressfull life events. To what extent does this influence the course of ADHD and can stress-reducing interventions be used to reduce ADHD symptom severity?
10. ADHD and overweight: individuals with ADHD have an increased risk of being overweight, but the mechanisms underlying this association are unknown. Based on within-family studies we try to unravel this link.

This research theme is closely affiliated with the following research groups:

- Developmental neuropsychiatry (prof. dr. Jan Buitelaar, Donders Institute)

- Genetics of Brain Function and (Psychiatric) Malfunction (Prof. dr. Barbara Franke, Donders Institute)

- Genetic Epidemiology of Brain Traits and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Dr. Alejandro Arias-Vasquez, Donders Insitute)

- Dimensional versus DSM based models of developmental psychopathology (Dr. Catharina Hartman, UMC Groningen)

• van Lieshout M, Luman M, Twisk JW, Faraone SV, Heslenfeld DJ, Hartman CA, Hoekstra PJ, Franke B, Buitelaar JK, Rommelse NN, Oosterlaan J. Neurocognitive Predictors of ADHD Outcome: a 6-Year Follow-up Study. J Abnorm Child Psychol. 2017 Feb;45(2):261-272.

• Hartman CA, Geurts HM, Franke B, Buitelaar JK, Rommelse NNJ. Changing ASD-ADHD symptom co-occurrence across the lifespan with adolescence as crucial time window: Illustrating the need to go beyond childhood. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2016 Dec;71:529-541.

• Rommelse N, van der Kruijs M, Damhuis J, Hoek I, Smeets S, Antshel KM, Hoogeveen L, Faraone SV. An evidenced-based perspective on the validity of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in the context of high intelligence. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2016 Dec;71:21-47.

• Oerlemans AM, Burmanje MJ, Franke B, Buitelaar JK, Hartman CA, Rommelse NN. Identifying Unique Versus Shared Pre- and Perinatal Risk Factors for ASD and ADHD Using a Simplex-Multiplex Stratification. J Abnorm Child Psychol. 2016 Jul;44(5):923-35.

• van der Meer JM, Oerlemans AM, van Steijn DJ, Lappenschaar MG, de Sonneville LM, Buitelaar JK, Rommelse NN. Are autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder different manifestations of one overarching disorder? Cognitive and symptom evidence from a clinical and population-based sample. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2012 Nov;51(11):1160-1172.