Trending Now - Study Identifies Three Distinct Types of ADHD

WHO:

Researchers from West China Hospital of Sichuan University

ADHD UK, a charity organization

Dr. Shyamal Mashru, consultant psychiatrist

WHAT:

A study identified three distinct subtypes of ADHD:

Severe-combined with emotional dysregulation

Predominantly hyperactive/impulsive

Predominantly inattentive

The study analyzed brain scan data from 446 children with diagnosed ADHD and 708 controls, and validated findings in another group of 554 children with ADHD and 123 controls.

The study was published in JAMA Psychiatry.

ADHD is believed to affect 2.6 million people in the UK.

Common treatments for ADHD include stimulant drugs like methylphenidate (Ritalin).

WHERE:

West China Hospital of Sichuan University

United Kingdom

WHEN:

The study was published in 2026.

The data analyzed included hundreds of children, but specific dates for the data collection were not provided.

WHY:

The study aims to advance the understanding of ADHD’s neurobiological complexity and lay the groundwork for personalized management and treatment strategies.

HOW:

Researchers analyzed both chemical and structural patterns in the brains of children with ADHD using brain scans and neurochemical signaling.

A groundbreaking study published in JAMA Psychiatry by researchers from West China Hospital of Sichuan University and ADHD UK has identified three distinct subtypes of ADHD: severe-combined with emotional dysregulation, predominantly hyperactive/impulsive, and predominantly inattentive. The research analyzed brain scan data from 446 children diagnosed with ADHD, along with 708 controls, and validated its findings in another group of 554 children with ADHD and 123 controls, aiming to enhance the understanding of ADHD’s neurobiological complexity for better treatment strategies. ADHD is estimated to affect 2.6 million people in the UK, and common treatments include stimulant drugs like methylphenidate, also known as Ritalin.