Research question
What diagnostic performance methods have been reported for electrophysiological, neuroimaging, genetic, behavioral, and biochemical biomarkers investigated for ADHD diagnosis in children and adolescents and how do they compare to current clinical methods for ADHD diagnosis?
Summary
ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders, yet its diagnosis remains largely dependent on behavioral assessments, clinical interviews, and subjective reports from patients, parents, and teachers. Because ADHD can present differently across individuals and may overlap with other conditions, researchers have been investigating whether biological markers could provide more objective and reliable methods of identification and diagnosis.
Emerging approaches include genetic, neurological, physiological, imaging-based, and biochemical biomarkers, each with different advantages and limitations. This project will compare and contrast the different types of biomarkers being investigated for ADHD, examining their diagnostic potential, reliability, accessibility, and current limitations, while considering whether biomarkers could complement or eventually improve existing clinical approaches to ADHD diagnosis.
Why it matters
ADHD diagnosis still relies mostly on interviews and rating scales, which can vary from one clinician or setting to the next. A clear comparison of the biomarkers under study, and of how they measure up to current methods, helps show which could realistically support diagnosis in children and adolescents.