Hyperactivity News and Research

RSS

Study finds two effective therapies for common childhood eating disorder

The first randomized, controlled trial for a common childhood eating disorder has shown how therapists and parents can help those struggling with the condition, known as avoidant restrictive food intake disorder, or ARFID.

29 Jun 2026

Blueberries may boost children's memory and mood

Research suggests blueberry compounds could enhance mood and cognitive function in children, yet stronger evidence is required for clinical recommendations.

25 Jun 2026

Longer breastfeeding links to fewer ADHD symptoms in children

Longer durations of full breastfeeding are linked to fewer ADHD symptoms in children, suggesting early feeding patterns may influence neurodevelopment.

23 Jun 2026

Brainstem neurons found to control attention by suppressing distractions

Neurons tucked away in an ancient part of the brain control the ability to pay attention by suppressing distractions and directing focus.

22 Jun 2026

Zebrafish study links altered neuronal genes to hyperarousal states

The altered presence of tiny fragments of neuronal genes, called microexons, causes hyperarousal in zebrafish. This is the main conclusion of an international study led by the Pompeu Fabra University (UPF) and the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG).

19 Jun 2026

Fertility challenges may influence children's behavioral and developmental outcomes

Difficulty conceiving a pregnancy may be associated with small differences in children's learning and behavior, according to a new study funded by the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

9 Jun 2026

Early outdoor play reduces future mental health risks in children

Children who spend more time playing outdoors between the ages of two and four may be less likely to develop emotional and behavioural difficulties later in childhood.

8 Jun 2026

Most users see AI programs for mental health as supplements to human therapy

As more people turn to artificial intelligence chatbots for emotional and mental health support, a new study from Drexel University suggests that most users see these tools as supplements to - not substitutes for - human therapy.

28 May 2026

Mental disorders surpass other conditions as leading global cause of disability

Nearly 1.2 billion people worldwide are living with a mental disorder, nearly double the number recorded in 1990.

22 May 2026

High-dose vitamin D3 in pregnancy may boost children’s memory by age 10

High-dose vitamin D3 supplementation from mid-pregnancy to early postpartum was associated with better verbal and visual memory in children at age 10. The post hoc analysis suggests prenatal vitamin D3 exposure may support selected cognitive functions, although findings require cautious interpretation.

21 May 2026

Key neural circuit helps the brain “change gears”

Most people have experienced the feeling: switching from one task to another, only to find the brain momentarily stuck in the old mode of thinking. Sometimes, even after realizing a strategy no longer works, the mind keeps returning to it anyway.

21 May 2026

Rural siblings of neurodivergent children face poorer mental wellbeing

New Curtin University-led research has found siblings of people with neurodevelopmental conditions in regional and remote Australia are struggling with poorer wellbeing and are more likely to feel overlooked.

21 May 2026

GLP-1 drugs may help curb addiction by targeting reward pathways

GLP-1 receptor agonists, already used for Type 2 diabetes and obesity, show promise in reducing alcohol and drug-seeking behaviors through central reward and dopamine-related pathways. Most evidence remains preclinical, with limited early human data, so larger clinical trials are needed before these drugs can be recommended for addiction treatment.

21 May 2026

Children's mental health concerns increasingly addressed during primary care visits

A new study led by researchers at the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston University, Boston Medical Center, UMass Chan Medical School, and Brown University finds that children's mental health concerns are appearing more often during routine visits with primary care doctors.

18 May 2026

Data-driven breakthrough reveals the effective doses for ADHD meds

Researchers have identified the best dosage for each ADHD medication using data from thousands of people with the condition.

15 May 2026

Researchers discover a brain signal that predicts child attention lapses

Inside a world-leading deep brain stimulation program at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), researchers have discovered a brain signal that predicts when a child is about to lose attention - and that a brief, targeted intervention in response to that signal can restore their focus.

13 May 2026

Researchers map the brain histamine system to understand mental health

New research, from King's College London and the University of Porto, has mapped the histamine system in the brain. Histamine, a molecule more commonly associated with allergies, plays a separate but poorly understood role in brain function.

12 May 2026

What drives adult ADHD symptoms? Study points to executive function over environment

Adults diagnosed with ADHD later in life had fewer childhood symptoms than those diagnosed in childhood, but both groups showed similar symptom severity in adulthood. Executive function, rather than childhood trauma, resilience, or parental bonding, was the strongest correlate of current ADHD symptoms across both diagnostic-history groups.

10 May 2026

Telehealth autism tools provide high accuracy for children using short phrases

When the COVID-19 pandemic shut down clinics and forced face-to-face interactions behind masks, autism diagnoses for many children came to a halt.

5 May 2026

Baby teeth show when metal exposure may affect brain development

The study identifies critical windows of metal exposure via baby teeth, revealing impacts on brain development and behavior in children and adolescents.

30 Apr 2026