ADHD Linked to Early Onset Parkinson's
Those who have been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) may be more prone to developing early onset Parkinson's disease, according to a new study. What's more, among ADHD patients who had a record of being treated with amphetamine-like drugs -- especially Ritalin [methylphenidate] -- the risk dramatically increased.
For the study, researchers at the University of Utah analyzed nearly 200,000 Utah residents born between 1950 and 1992, that had developed Parkinson's by the age of 60. Approximately 32,000 of these participants had been diagnosed with ADHD prior to any Parkinson's diagnosis.
Despite this strong association between ADHD and Parkinson's risk, the findings are preliminary, according the the research author. The study did not prove that ADHD or its medications actually caused Parkinson's risk to rise, and one ADHD expert noted that the absolute risk of developing Parkinson's remains very small.
For more information about the study and Parkinson's, visit the Michael J. Fox Foundation.
