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ADHD medications and ethnicity

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Current Attention Disorders Reports

Abstract

Lower levels of medical treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder have been documented in ethnic minorities and in developing countries despite similar prevalence of the disorder across different cultural backgrounds. Increasing awareness of the different sociocultural factors contributing to these inequalities is fostering more culturally sensible approaches to diagnosis and treatment. To date, the existence of specific response or tolerability patterns of attention-deficit/hyper activity disorder medications across ethnic groups is unclear. The short-term efficacy of stimulants has been documented in children from various origins, and current moderator and pooled analyses have ruled out major effects of ethnicity on treatment response. Genetic variations influencing treatment response or side effects are being explored and may be promising factors in future treatment/management strategies, but the role of ethnic background is unknown and may not significantly overlap with relevant biological characteristics.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Child and Adolescent Psychopathology Unit, Robert Debré Hospital, 48 bd Sérurier, 75019, Paris, France

    Diane Purper-Ouakil

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  1. Nathalie Franc
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Correspondence to Diane Purper-Ouakil.

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Franc, N., Purper-Ouakil, D. ADHD medications and ethnicity. Curr Atten Disord Rep 1, 159–164 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12618-009-0022-3

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