Posters
Presenting Author Academic/Professional Position
Medical Student
Academic Level (Author 1)
Medical Student
Academic Level (Author 2)
Medical Student
Academic Level (Author 3)
Medical Student
Academic Level (Author 4)
Medical Student
Academic Level (Author 5)
Faculty
Discipline/Specialty (Author 5)
Neuroscience
Presentation Type
Poster
Discipline Track
Translational Science
Abstract Type
Research/Clinical
Abstract
Introduction: Previous literature has suggested that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be associated with later development of neurodegenerative diseases (up to 2.77 fold increase). However, it is unclear how this association may be influenced by demographic or ethnic factors. Specifically, neurodegenerative diseases (ND), such as Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, or dementia, are exceptionally prevalent in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV). Investigating whether ADHD is a potential risk factor for NDs in the RGV may provide valuable insights for early diagnosis, intervention, and prevention. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the correlation between ADHD and ND in underserved, primarily Hispanic communities.
Methods: January 2019 to January 2024 was conducted using ICD-10 codes (ADHD: F90; neurodegenerative diseases: F01, F02, G30, G31, G309). Demographic information, including race, ethnicity, age, age at diagnosis, and sex, was collected for all patients. To refine our analysis, we focused on the subset of patients aged 45 years and older, as most neurodegenerative disease manifest in later adulthood. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize demographic and disease prevalence of ADHD and neurodegenerative diseases. The percentage of patients in each group (ADHD, neurodegenerative diseases, both) were calculated. Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r) was used to assess the relationship between ADHD and neurodegenerative diseases; statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results: In our five-year analysis, 1,848 unique patients were identified and diagnosed with ADHD and 1,098 unique patients diagnosed with ND.61.07% were male (n = 1,128) and 70.23% were Hispanic (n = 1,288), with ages ranging from 3 to 82 years. identified 92 patients diagnosed with ADHD, of whom 2 patients were also diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disease (2.17%), showing a very weak positive correlation at r = 0.147. Notably, both patients who had ADHD and ND identified as non-Hispanic.
Conclusion: In other studies, 13.2% of individuals with ADHD are later diagnosed with dementia. This contrasts with our findings, which suggest a significantly lower prevalence. Several factors may explain this discrepancy. UTHealth RGV, being a relatively new institution, may lack a comprehensive medical history for all patients, leading to incomplete information. Additionally, the stigma associated with ADHD in the Hispanic community may result in misdiagnosis, further influencing the data. Cultural values emphasizing machismo attitudes may also discourage individuals from seeking medical attention, contributing to underreporting. Given these factors, additional cohort studies with larger sample sizes and greater demographic diversity are required to elucidate the longitudinal relationship between ADHD and neurodegenerative diseases over the course of life.
Recommended Citation
Oestreich, Maci D.; Escamilla, Jennifer V.; Khan, Shiza; Ybanez, Kaitlyn D.; and Potter-Baker, Kelsey, "Retrospective Analyses of ADHD and Neurodegenerative Diseases in the Rio Grande Valley" (2025). Research Symposium. 87.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/somrs/2025/posters/87
Included in
Retrospective Analyses of ADHD and Neurodegenerative Diseases in the Rio Grande Valley
Introduction: Previous literature has suggested that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be associated with later development of neurodegenerative diseases (up to 2.77 fold increase). However, it is unclear how this association may be influenced by demographic or ethnic factors. Specifically, neurodegenerative diseases (ND), such as Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, or dementia, are exceptionally prevalent in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV). Investigating whether ADHD is a potential risk factor for NDs in the RGV may provide valuable insights for early diagnosis, intervention, and prevention. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the correlation between ADHD and ND in underserved, primarily Hispanic communities.
Methods: January 2019 to January 2024 was conducted using ICD-10 codes (ADHD: F90; neurodegenerative diseases: F01, F02, G30, G31, G309). Demographic information, including race, ethnicity, age, age at diagnosis, and sex, was collected for all patients. To refine our analysis, we focused on the subset of patients aged 45 years and older, as most neurodegenerative disease manifest in later adulthood. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize demographic and disease prevalence of ADHD and neurodegenerative diseases. The percentage of patients in each group (ADHD, neurodegenerative diseases, both) were calculated. Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r) was used to assess the relationship between ADHD and neurodegenerative diseases; statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results: In our five-year analysis, 1,848 unique patients were identified and diagnosed with ADHD and 1,098 unique patients diagnosed with ND.61.07% were male (n = 1,128) and 70.23% were Hispanic (n = 1,288), with ages ranging from 3 to 82 years. identified 92 patients diagnosed with ADHD, of whom 2 patients were also diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disease (2.17%), showing a very weak positive correlation at r = 0.147. Notably, both patients who had ADHD and ND identified as non-Hispanic.
Conclusion: In other studies, 13.2% of individuals with ADHD are later diagnosed with dementia. This contrasts with our findings, which suggest a significantly lower prevalence. Several factors may explain this discrepancy. UTHealth RGV, being a relatively new institution, may lack a comprehensive medical history for all patients, leading to incomplete information. Additionally, the stigma associated with ADHD in the Hispanic community may result in misdiagnosis, further influencing the data. Cultural values emphasizing machismo attitudes may also discourage individuals from seeking medical attention, contributing to underreporting. Given these factors, additional cohort studies with larger sample sizes and greater demographic diversity are required to elucidate the longitudinal relationship between ADHD and neurodegenerative diseases over the course of life.
