ADHD stands for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. In the Netherlands, about 3% of adults and 5% of children are affected by ADHD. People with ADHD often find it difficult to keep their attention and/or can be busy and impulsive. People who have particular difficulty keeping their attention often also recognise themselves in the term ADD.
The characteristics of AD(H)D can cause difficulties, for example at school or at work, at home or in social situations. People with ADHD can also have low self-esteem and other disorders such as anxiety, depression, and dyslexia are more common in people with ADHD than in people without ADHD. In addition, people with ADHD can also experience positive effects of their ADHD, such as creativity. Within the Donders Institute, research is conducted to better understand ADHD. By generating more knowledge about ADHD, it becomes possible to develop better ways to deal with ADHD. Research also contributes to more understanding from society.
Examples of research into ADHD
Within the Donders Institute, many different types of research on ADHD take place: from molecules and cells to people and society. Examples of these studies include research into the relationship between the bacteria in your gut and your brain. This examines whether there are differences between the gut bacteria of people with and without ADHD and whether a certain diet could help.
Other studies focus on the genes and molecules influencing ADHD. For instance, researchers study our cells to determine which biological mechanisms play a role in ADHD. Science is also taking place in combination with other scientific fields such as diabetes. Other researchers within Donders Institute are studying cognitive processes that are important in people with ADHD, such as motivation, learning and control. This line of research focuses on which areas and substances in the brain are involved. The last example of research looks at ADHD from a positive side. It focuses on which positive aspects are associated with ADHD. For instance, it has already been discovered that people with ADHD are often creative.
Participate in science
Would you like to participate in a study on ADHD? To better understand the positive aspects of ADHD, we are conducting research into ADHD and character traits. We are looking for people with and without ADHD to fill in an online questionnaire about this. Click here for more information! Would you like to participate in other research at the Donders Institute? Then click here.