ADHD and the gut: an inflammatory duo?

#ADHD #gut #IBS #GutBrainAxis #Microbiome


Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic neurodevelopmental disorder that begins in childhood and may persist into adulthood. Affecting up to 14% of children and nearly 7% of adults, it is associated with numerous psychiatric and medical comorbidities, including gastrointestinal disorders.  

Digestive symptoms such as constipation and flatulence have been reported in patients with ADHD. However, their etiological link remains uncertain. Despite increasing attention on the role of the gut microbiome in neuropsychiatric disorders, data connecting ADHD and intestinal disorders remain limited and inconsistent. Understanding the role of the microbiota and the gut-brain axis in ADHD could therefore open new diagnostic and therapeutic avenues. Nevertheless, the diversity of studies, diagnostic criteria, and geographical regions studied complicates result interpretation.