Trajectory Analysis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity/Impulsivity Disorder (ADHD) in a Brazilian Cohort

• Grant number: 25/09700-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2025
• End date: August 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Psychiatry
• Principal Investigator: Eurípedes Constantino Miguel Filho
• Grantee: Stephanie Ogliari Brancher
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/12901-9 - National Center for Research and Innovation in Mental Health (CISM), AP.PCPE

Abstract

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, with an estimated prevalence of 5% to 7% in children and 2.5% in adults worldwide (Posner et al., 2020). Traditionally, ADHD has been viewed as an early-onset disorder with symptoms that decline over time, with approximately half of children experiencing symptom remission by adulthood (Faraone et al., 2006). However, recent evidence suggests that ADHD may exhibit more dynamic patterns, with symptoms fluctuating between remission and recurrence across different life stages (Norman et al., 2023; Sibley et al., 2022). This study aims to investigate ADHD trajectories in a Brazilian sample, focusing on differentiating between individuals with persistent and remitting symptoms. Using longitudinal data from the Brazilian High-Risk Cohort for Mental Conditions (Salum et al., 2015), the study will analyze the presence or absence of ADHD diagnosis across different assessment waves, from childhood to adulthood. The sample includes 274 children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD and 2,237 controls at baseline, aged 6 to 14 years. The study seeks to identify patterns of recovery and symptomatic variability in ADHD over time, exploring contextual, biological, and psychosocial factors influencing these trajectories. The methodological approach includes comparative group testing and analyses of predictors of remission and relapse, contributing to a more integrated understanding of the disorder's course. The inclusion of a Brazilian sample is crucial for expanding knowledge about ADHD in middle-income contexts, considering specific sociocultural, economic, and environmental factors.