Exploration of Neuroprotective Therapy

Special Issue Topic

Advances in the Pathogenesis, Diagnosis and Treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Submission Deadline: September 30, 2025

Guest Editors

Dr. Michele Roccella E-Mail

Department of Psychological, Pedagogical, Physical Exercise and Training at the University of Palermo, Italy; Director of the School of Specialization in Child Neuropsychiatry at the Department of Promotion of Maternal-Child Health, of Internal and Specialized Medicine of Excellence

Research Keywords: neurodevelopmental disorders; encephalopathies; epilepsies; neuromuscular diseases; sleep disorders; rare genetic syndromes; neuropsychological disorders; ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)

Dr. Luigi Vetri E-Mail

Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, 94018 Troina, Italy

Research Keywords: epilepsy; neurodevelopmental disorders; epilepsy; autism; intellectual disability; primary headache; rare genetic syndromes; neuropsychological disorders; psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents; ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)

About the Special Issue

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is characterized by disabling levels of inattention, disorganization, and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity. It is estimated that 5% of children are affected.
ADHD falls into the category of neurodevelopmental disorders, a group of conditions that begin during the developmental period and are characterized by a deficit that causes impairment in personal, social, scholastic or occupational functioning. Neurodevelopmental disorders very often occur concomitantly. In childhood, ADHD often overlaps with disorders such as Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Conduct Disorder. Furthermore, it often persists into adulthood, causing impairment of functioning in the social, scholastic and work spheres. This Special Issue will collect new evidence about the genetic and environmental etiological factors of ADHD, new diagnostic strategies, new management and treatment, as well as innovative insights into the neuropsychological and cognitive implications.

Keywords: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); neurodevelopmental disorders; cognitive implications; etiological factors; diagnosis strategies; treatment

Call for Papers

Published Articles

Open Access

Original Article

Neurophysiological findings in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, a Pandora’s box with therapeutic implications
Aim: Growing evidence suggests that Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) may not be a single entity with a universal remedy, but rather a group of conditions resulting from interactive [...] Read more.

Aim:

Growing evidence suggests that Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) may not be a single entity with a universal remedy, but rather a group of conditions resulting from interactive bio-psycho-social factors and requiring specifically targeted interventions. ADHD research, including neurophysiology, faces inconsistent findings due to heterogeneity. This variety might indicate different physiopathogenic mechanisms. This study aimed to identify dysfunctional mechanisms behind ADHD symptoms and test if targeting these dysfunctions can improve clinical outcomes.

Methods:

230 children with ADHD diagnosis studied with hypothesis-related variables from electroencephalogram (EEG) visual inspection and quantitative z-scored power, coherence and ratios, and from event-related brain potentials (ERPs) z-sored P50, N100, N200, P300 latencies amplitudes and ratios. Parametric and non-parametric classifications were conducted on neurophysiological findings to identify clusters and design neuropsychologically-based recommended treatments (NBRTx). Treatment response evaluated thrgbrough ADHD scores comparing NBRTx with guidelines recommended treatment (GBRTx). Treatment selected by agreement between each child’s physician and the parents, both parties thoroughly informed.

Results:

Six clusters of neurophysiological findings were identified, each characterized by a combination of EEG/ERP abnormalities hypothetically related to distinct dysfunctional mechanisms. Cluster (C) findings, hypothetical dysfunction, and treatment recommendations: C1: Longer P300 latencies, hypodopaminergia: methylphenidate. C2: Centrotemporal spiles, hyperexcitable network: carbamazepine. C3: Bisynchronous spike-waves complexes, thalamocortical involvement: valproic. C4: Altered psychosis-related variables: risperidone. C5: Altered migraine-related variables: valproic. C6: Abnormal maturational interhemispheric rate: tailored psychotherapy. At 3 months, ADHD scores decreased with methylphenidate (MPH) only in C1. In other clusters children under NBRTx had good responses, those under GBRTx did not, and were switched to NBRTx with significant improvement at 6 months.

Conclusions:

Six different neurophysiological mechanisms responding to targeted interventions were identified by neurophysiological signatures. A personalized medicine approach guided by physiopathogenic mechanisms may be necessary when facing multifactorial, heterogeneous disorders such as ADHD.

Montserrat Gerez-Malo ... Carlos Acosta

Published: March 30, 2025 Explor Neuroprot Ther. 2025;5:100499
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37349/ent.2025.100499

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Aim:

Growing evidence suggests that Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) may not be a single entity with a universal remedy, but rather a group of conditions resulting from interactive bio-psycho-social factors and requiring specifically targeted interventions. ADHD research, including neurophysiology, faces inconsistent findings due to heterogeneity. This variety might indicate different physiopathogenic mechanisms. This study aimed to identify dysfunctional mechanisms behind ADHD symptoms and test if targeting these dysfunctions can improve clinical outcomes.

Methods:

230 children with ADHD diagnosis studied with hypothesis-related variables from electroencephalogram (EEG) visual inspection and quantitative z-scored power, coherence and ratios, and from event-related brain potentials (ERPs) z-sored P50, N100, N200, P300 latencies amplitudes and ratios. Parametric and non-parametric classifications were conducted on neurophysiological findings to identify clusters and design neuropsychologically-based recommended treatments (NBRTx). Treatment response evaluated thrgbrough ADHD scores comparing NBRTx with guidelines recommended treatment (GBRTx). Treatment selected by agreement between each child’s physician and the parents, both parties thoroughly informed.

Results:

Six clusters of neurophysiological findings were identified, each characterized by a combination of EEG/ERP abnormalities hypothetically related to distinct dysfunctional mechanisms. Cluster (C) findings, hypothetical dysfunction, and treatment recommendations: C1: Longer P300 latencies, hypodopaminergia: methylphenidate. C2: Centrotemporal spiles, hyperexcitable network: carbamazepine. C3: Bisynchronous spike-waves complexes, thalamocortical involvement: valproic. C4: Altered psychosis-related variables: risperidone. C5: Altered migraine-related variables: valproic. C6: Abnormal maturational interhemispheric rate: tailored psychotherapy. At 3 months, ADHD scores decreased with methylphenidate (MPH) only in C1. In other clusters children under NBRTx had good responses, those under GBRTx did not, and were switched to NBRTx with significant improvement at 6 months.

Conclusions:

Six different neurophysiological mechanisms responding to targeted interventions were identified by neurophysiological signatures. A personalized medicine approach guided by physiopathogenic mechanisms may be necessary when facing multifactorial, heterogeneous disorders such as ADHD.

Guest Editors

About the Special Issue

Call for Papers

Published Articles

Aim:

Methods:

Results:

Conclusions:

Aim:

Methods:

Results:

Conclusions: