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Mania and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: common symptomatology, common pathophysiology and common treatment?

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Check out this Knowledge Base article from StressTherapy Solutions: Mania and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: common symptomatology, common pathophysiology and common treatment?

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Study at a glance

Area
ADHD & Attention
Study type
Review & meta-analysis
Authors
Hegerl U, Himmerich H, Engmann B, Hensch T
Journal
Current Opinion in Psychiatry
Year
2010
Protocol
EEG vigilance regulation (review)

Key findings

  • Both ADHD and mania show unstable wakefulness regulation on EEG vigilance measures, sleepiness ratings and sustained attention tasks
  • Hyperactive, impulsive and sensation-seeking behavior is proposed as an attempt to self-stabilize vigilance
  • Accumulating evidence suggests psychostimulants carry little risk of triggering or worsening mania and might even help in acute mania
  • An estimated 85% of children with bipolar disorder also have ADHD, and up to 22% of children with ADHD have bipolar disorder

DOI 10.1097/yco.0b013e328331f694 → PubMed 19770771 →

A review comparing ADHD and mania, which share many symptoms, alongside the high overlap between ADHD and bipolar disorder. The authors outline common ground at genetic, biochemical, electrophysiological, brain structure and neuropsychological levels, highlighting that both show unstable regulation of wakefulness on EEG vigilance measures, sleepiness ratings and sustained attention tasks. They propose that hyperactivity and sensation seeking may be attempts to stabilize wakefulness through extra stimulation, and conclude that controlled trials of vigilance-stabilizing drugs such as stimulants in mania are justified.