Health · Medical Research · 1 hr ago
Study links ADHD in adults over 50 to higher risk of cognitive impairment
Researchers studied more than 187,000 US adults aged 50 and older, including people with and without attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD.
They compared health records and genetic information to look for links between ADHD and dementia or mild cognitive impairment.
Cognitive impairment was recorded in 6.7% of people with ADHD, compared with 3.4% of those without it.
After accounting for age, gender and other health conditions, the researchers found that people with ADHD had more than four times the risk.
The study also found a 35% higher dementia risk among people with the strongest genetic susceptibility to ADHD than among those with the weakest.
These findings show an association, not proof that ADHD causes dementia, and the researchers said more work is needed to understand what may explain the link.
The findings matter because they point to a possible connection between ADHD and cognitive health later in life, but the study does not say what people should do differently.
A study of more than 187,000 adults aged 50 and older found ADHD was associated with a higher risk of dementia or mild cognitive impairment.
Cognitive impairment was observed in 6.7% of participants with ADHD, compared with 3.4% of those without it.
After adjustments for age, gender and other health conditions, participants with ADHD had more than four times the risk.
The observational study used electronic health records and genetic information from people in the U.S. All of Us Research Program.
The researchers said the findings show an association and do not prove that ADHD causes dementia.
- Who
- Researchers led by the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine studied more than 187,000 adults aged 50 and older.
- What
- The study found ADHD was associated with a higher risk of dementia or mild cognitive impairment.
- When
- The findings were published Oct. 7; the article was published Oct. 12, 2026.
- Where
- The participants were enrolled in the U.S. National Institutes of Health All of Us Research Program.
- Why
- The study examined the relationship between ADHD and cognitive impairment; the reason for the association is not established.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The study findings were published in JAMA Psychiatry.
Fox News published its report on the study.
- Study size
- More than 187,000 adults
- Age group
- 50 and older
- Cognitive impairment with ADHD
- 6.7% of participants
- Cognitive impairment without ADHD
- 3.4% of participants
- Adjusted risk
- More than four times higher for participants with ADHD
- Genetic susceptibility finding
- 35% greater dementia risk for those with the highest versus lowest ADHD susceptibility
What people are saying
This doesn’t prove that ADHD causes dementia, but seeing the same pattern show up independently in medical records and in people’s genes gives us greater confidence that the association is not simply an artifact of how ADHD gets diagnosed
Two different kinds of evidence are pointing in the same direction.
Analyzing genetic information alongside years of health records allows us to identify patterns that might not be visible in a smaller or more traditional study
It might [be] that keeping on top of health issues and getting to the doctor is more difficult for them
Sources
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