1. Delineating early developmental pathways to ADHD: Setting an international research agenda
- Author
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Miller, Meghan, Arnett, Anne B, Shephard, Elizabeth, Charman, Tony, Gustafsson, Hanna C, Joseph, Heather M, Karalunas, Sarah, Nigg, Joel T, Polanczyk, Guilherme V, Sullivan, Elinor L, and Jones, Emily JH
- Subjects
Psychology ,Biomedical and Clinical Sciences ,Clinical Sciences ,Applied and Developmental Psychology ,Clinical Research ,Prevention ,Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) ,Pediatric ,Mental Health ,Brain Disorders ,Mental Illness ,Behavioral and Social Science ,ADHD ,early development ,infancy ,longitudinal ,prevention ,prospective ,Clinical sciences ,Applied and developmental psychology - Abstract
BackgroundAttention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent, impairing, and highly heritable condition typically diagnosed in middle childhood. However, it is now recognized that symptoms emerge much earlier in development. Research focused on understanding-using multiple units of analysis-the cascade of early-life (i.e., prenatal-infant-toddler) developmental changes that will later emerge as ADHD has the potential to transform early identification, prevention, and intervention. To this end, we introduce the recently established Early ADHD Consortium, an international network of investigators engaged in prospective, longitudinal studies of risk for ADHD beginning early in life, conducted within a developmental framework, and which incorporate multimethod approaches. This network seeks to harmonize measures and methodological approaches to increase the potential for data sharing and subsequent impact.MethodsThis perspective paper highlights the importance of investigating pre-diagnostic markers of ADHD, and potential models and mechanisms of ADHD risk and development, with the long-term objective of facilitating development of preemptive interventions that will minimize the impact of ADHD symptoms on everyday functioning and maximize health and developmental outcomes.ResultsWe selectively describe key challenges and questions for this field related to theoretical models and developmental mechanisms in ADHD and recommend next steps for the science, including methodological, measurement, and study design considerations. We then describe potential implications for preemptive intervention development. We conclude by considering other issues including ethical concerns and the critical value of incorporating stakeholder input.ConclusionsIt is hoped that this perspective puts forth a research agenda that will enhance collaborative efforts and accelerate progress in understanding developmental mechanisms and the early ADHD phenotype, with implications for early intervention enhancement of healthy development for infants, young children, and their families.
- Published
- 2023