https://ki.se RSS News Listing https://news.ki.se/adhd-medication-linked-to-lower-risk-of-suicide-attempts-substance-abuse-and-criminality People who take medication for ADHD have a lower risk of suicide attempts, substance abuse, traffic accidents, and criminality than people with ADHD who do not take medication. This is shown in a new study by researchers from Karolinska Institutet and University of Southampton, published in the journal BMJ. Thu, 14 Aug 2025 09:10:47 +0200 https://news.ki.se/guidance-into-adulthood-with-autism-and-adhd-the-right-support-makes-it-easier Becoming an adult is challenging for most people, but for individuals with autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions, the transition to adulthood can be particularly demanding. In her dissertation, researcher Maria Löthberg at KI explored how the service support in daily living can be improved to better meet the needs of these young individuals. "The TRANSITION program was an effective tool for making the support more individualized and for increasing participant user involvement," she says Tue, 12 Aug 2025 13:47:12 +0200 https://news.ki.se/adhd-medication-benefits-persist-but-not-like-they-used-to As ADHD medication use has surged in Sweden over the past decades, evidence is needed on whether the benefit of the medication remains consistent. A new study from Karolinska Institutet, published in JAMA Psychiatry, shows that while ADHD medication still helps reduce the risk of self-harm, unintentional injuries, traffic accidents, and criminal behavior, its protective effects have diminished over time as ADHD medication use has broadened to a wider group of patients. Wed, 25 Jun 2025 17:08:04 +0200 https://news.ki.se/autism-linked-to-elevated-risk-of-parkinsons-disease People with an autism diagnosis are at a higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease early in life, a large-scale study from Karolinska Institutet published in JAMA Neurology reports. The researchers believe that the two conditions can share underlying biological mechanisms. Tue, 27 May 2025 17:00:10 +0200 https://news.ki.se/johan-bjureberg-receives-a-large-grant-from-vr We congratulate Johan Bjureberg on receiving almost SEK 20 million from VR Behandlingsforskning for the study Preventing Suicide With Safe Alternatives for Teens and Youths (SAFETY): A Randomized Clinical Trial of a Psychosocial Intervention. Fri, 29 Nov 2024 16:18:06 +0100 https://news.ki.se/antiseizure-drugs-during-pregnancy-may-affect-neurodevelopment Children whose mothers have taken antiseizure drugs during pregnancy are more likely than others to receive a neuropsychiatric diagnosis. This is according to a comprehensive study by researchers at Karolinska Institutet and elsewhere, published in Nature Communications. However, the researchers emphasise that the absolute risk is low. Fri, 15 Nov 2024 11:00:08 +0100 https://news.ki.se/untreated-adhd-is-a-costly-affair ADHD can be a lifelong condition and have a significantly negative impact on life. However, maturity plays a role in this context. Approximately half of those diagnosed as children continue to have pronounced ADHD symptoms into adulthood. Mon, 14 Oct 2024 13:30:11 +0200 https://news.ki.se/female-sex-hormones-a-wild-card-in-adhd Can fluctuating levels of female sex hormones worsen ADHD symptoms in women? That is what researchers at Karolinska Institutet want to investigate. Mon, 14 Oct 2024 13:26:21 +0200 https://news.ki.se/a-clearer-picture-of-adhd-focus-on-function Over the past 15 years, the number of ADHD diagnoses has risen sharply in Sweden. Is this development reasonable? And what might be the cause? Whilst asking these questions, researchers would also like us to focus less on the diagnosis and more on the functional capacity of people with ADHD. Mon, 14 Oct 2024 13:19:53 +0200 https://news.ki.se/lower-hpv-vaccination-coverage-among-girls-with-mental-health-conditions Girls with mental illness or neurodevelopmental conditions are less likely than their peers to be vaccinated with the HPV vaccine that protects against future cervical cancer. This is according to a new registry study from Karolinska Institutet published in The Lancet Public Health. Thu, 29 Aug 2024 07:00:12 +0200 https://news.ki.se/no-link-between-paracetamol-use-during-pregnancy-and-autism-or-adhd-in-children In the largest epidemiologic study to date of the risk of giving birth to a child with autism, ADHD or intellectual disability following acetaminophen use during pregnancy, researchers found no association. The study is now published in JAMA. Tue, 09 Apr 2024 17:00:12 +0200 https://news.ki.se/ptsd-in-pregnant-women-may-affect-the-risk-of-adhd-in-the-child A comprehensive registry study from Karolinska Institutet shows that children of women who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) right before or during pregnancy are almost twice as likely to be diagnosed with ADHD later in life. The study is published in the journal European Psychiatry. Tue, 19 Mar 2024 08:13:30 +0100 https://news.ki.se/cognitive-impairment-varies-significantly-among-individuals-with-newly-diagnosed-psychosis A recent study by researchers from Karolinska Institutet and Uppsala University has found that cognitive impairment varies significantly among individuals with newly diagnosed psychosis. Thu, 29 Feb 2024 13:26:55 +0100 https://news.ki.se/new-findings-on-long-term-treatment-of-adhd-and-link-to-cardiovascular-disease A large proportion of patients who start taking ADHD medication, especially young adults, stop within the first year. However, people who use ADHD medicine for a long time and in higher-than-average doses seem to have a higher risk of some cardiovascular diseases. This is according to two new studies led by researchers from Karolinska Institutet and published in The Lancet Psychiatry and JAMA Psychiatry. Tue, 28 Nov 2023 07:54:24 +0100 https://news.ki.se/ki-researcher-carl-sellgren-receives-the-bjarne-ahlstroms-minnesfonds-pris KI researcher Carl Sellgren has been awarded the Bjarne Ahlströms Minnesfonds pris 2023 (Bjarne Ahlström Memorial Fund Prize 2023) for his research in clinical neurology and how the loss of synapses (contacts between cells) in the brain could be a possible cause of schizophrenia. Tue, 24 Oct 2023 12:41:53 +0200 https://news.ki.se/adhd-from-childhood-into-adulthood-and-older-age Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by developmentally inappropriate levels of inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Symptoms of ADHD often persist into adulthood and psychiatric comorbidities as well as adverse somatic outcomes can emerge across the lifespan. Wed, 25 Jan 2023 11:18:32 +0100 https://news.ki.se/adult-adhd-linked-to-elevated-risk-of-cardiovascular-diseases Adults with ADHD are at greater risk of developing a range of cardiovascular diseases than those without the condition, according to a large observational study led by researchers at Karolinska Institutet and Örebro University. The researchers say the findings, published in the journal World Psychiatry, underscore the need to monitor cardiovascular health in people with ADHD. Thu, 15 Sep 2022 12:55:07 +0200 https://news.ki.se/a-new-form-of-therapy-for-autistic-individuals-has-been-evaluated A doctoral thesis at Karolinska Institutet has investigated whether Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) can be used for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The results show that the treatment can be carried out in both a school environment and in psychiatric outpatient care and can have an effect on, among other things, perceived stress. Wed, 18 May 2022 14:19:31 +0200 https://news.ki.se/link-between-adhd-and-dementia-across-generations A large study at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden has found a link between ADHD and dementia across generations. The study, published in Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association, shows that parents and grandparents of individuals with ADHD were at higher risk of dementia than those with children and grandchildren without ADHD. Thu, 09 Sep 2021 13:00:06 +0200 https://news.ki.se/adult-adhd-is-linked-to-numerous-physical-conditions Adults with ADHD are at higher risk of a wide range of physical conditions, including nervous system, respiratory, musculoskeletal, and metabolic diseases, according to a large register-based study from Karolinska Institutet published in The Lancet Psychiatry. Wed, 07 Jul 2021 00:30:04 +0200 https://news.ki.se/individuals-with-high-adhd-traits-are-more-vulnerable-to-insomnia Individuals with high ADHD-traits that do not meet the criteria for a diagnosis are less able to perform tasks involving attentional regulation or emotional control after a sleepless night than individuals with low ADHD-traits, a new study from Karolinska Institutet published in Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging reports. Thu, 17 Dec 2020 07:00:03 +0100 https://news.ki.se/attention-deficithyperactivity-disorder-and-adverse-health-outcomes Shihua Sun has investigated the associations between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and specific adverse outcomes including asthma and premature death. In his thesis, Shihua included four studies to clarify the magnitude and etiology of the associations, as well as potential effects from medication treatment that may prevent poor prognosis. Fri, 27 Nov 2020 16:37:37 +0100 https://news.ki.se/new-clues-about-the-link-between-stress-and-depression Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have identified a protein in the brain that is important both for the function of the mood-regulating substance serotonin and for the release of stress hormones, at least in mice. The findings, which are published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry, may have implications for the development of new drugs for depression and anxiety. Fri, 02 Oct 2020 12:54:28 +0200 https://news.ki.se/problems-in-synapse-connection-sites-found-in-rare-neurodevelopmental-disorders Researchers at Karolinska Institutet describe molecular and cellular consequences of unique genetic mutations affecting the CASK gene which has been implicated in various neurodevelopmental disorders. Notably, the results indicate differences in the development of presynapses of inhibitory neurons in individuals with specific mutations. The findings elucidate key mechanisms during early neuronal maturation and may help to define targets for future drug discoveries for these disorders. Wed, 16 Sep 2020 15:34:50 +0200 https://news.ki.se/imagery-reveals-autism-related-brain-differences People with autism spectrum disorder have lower levels of a protein that regulates the amount of serotonin in the brain, a paper from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry reports. For their study, the researchers used a molecular brain imaging technique to compare people with and without autism; their results offer hope of finding a drug that can alleviate the symptoms. Wed, 09 Sep 2020 12:46:38 +0200 https://news.ki.se/low-iq-family-history-tied-to-treatment-resistant-schizophrenia Those with a family history of schizophrenia and men with lower IQ are more likely to struggle with treatment resistant schizophrenia than others with the mental disorder, according to a study by researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry. The researchers say the findings could be important in efforts to design novel drug treatments that improve cognition. Tue, 12 Nov 2019 02:00:00 +0100 https://news.ki.se/early-maternal-anemia-tied-to-intellectual-disability-adhd-and-autism The timing of anemia—a common condition in late pregnancy—can make a big difference for the developing fetus, according to research at Karolinska Institutet published in JAMA Psychiatry. The researchers found a link between early anemia and increased risk of autism, ADHD and intellectual disability in the child. Anemia discovered toward the end of pregnancy did not have the same correlation. The findings underscore the importance of early screening for iron status and nutritional counselling. Wed, 18 Sep 2019 17:00:00 +0200 https://news.ki.se/autism-linked-to-greatly-increased-risk-of-suicidal-behaviour The risk of suicide attempts and suicides among individuals with autism spectrum disorders is significantly higher than among the population in general. An especially high risk of suicidal behaviour is noted among women who in addition to autism also have ADHD. These are the findings of a population-based study from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden published in the journal Psychological Medicine. Mon, 01 Jul 2019 13:32:32 +0200 https://news.ki.se/similar-changes-in-the-brains-of-patients-with-adhd-and-emotional-instability Fri, 31 Aug 2018 08:48:07 +0200 https://news.ki.se/year-light-laureate-professor-sven-bolte-from-kind Wed, 02 May 2018 16:14:56 +0200 https://news.ki.se/new-study-shows-how-multimorbidity-restricts-life-in-the-elderly Multiple neuropsychiatric diseases are major predisposing factors for functional decline in older people and may play a greater role in this age-related phenomenon than cardiovascular diseases, according to a new study by researchers at Karolinska Institutet published in PLOS Medicine. Wed, 07 Mar 2018 08:00:00 +0100 https://news.ki.se/genes-influence-what-we-choose-to-look-at Fri, 10 Nov 2017 08:44:59 +0100 https://news.ki.se/mutations-occurring-after-fertilisation-could-play-a-role-in-autism Wed, 26 Jul 2017 15:33:49 +0200 https://news.ki.se/new-findings-on-brain-development-in-premature-children Wed, 14 Sep 2016 22:14:27 +0200 https://news.ki.se/people-with-autism-run-a-higher-risk-of-premature-death Wed, 11 Nov 2015 11:17:31 +0100 https://news.ki.se/children-with-asd-should-receive-a-molecular-diagnosis Wed, 02 Sep 2015 08:15:00 +0200 https://news.ki.se/large-age-gaps-between-parents-increase-risk-of-autism-in-children A new multinational study of parental age and autism risk, published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry, found increased autism rates among children whose parents have relatively large gaps between their ages. The study also confirmed that older parents are at higher risk of having children with autism. The analysis, which is the largest-ever, included more than 5.7 million children in five countries. Tue, 09 Jun 2015 10:30:00 +0200 https://news.ki.se/common-variation-genes-behind-the-risk-of-autism A number of relatively common gene variations combined may increase the risk of autism. These are the findings of a new study from Swedish and American researchers published in Nature Genetics. Mon, 04 Aug 2014 14:21:16 +0200 https://news.ki.se/environment-as-important-as-genes-in-understanding-autism Mon, 05 May 2014 09:57:25 +0200