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Objectives:This trial investigated whether probiotics improved mood, stress and anxiety in a sample selected for low mood. We also tested whether the presence or severity of irritable bowel syndrome symptoms, and levels of proinflammatory cytokines, brain-derived neurotrophic factor and other blood markers, would predict or impact treatment response.Method:Seventy-nine participants (10 dropouts) not currently taking psychotropic medications with at least moderate scores on self-report mood measures were randomly allocated to receive either a probiotic preparation (containing Lactobacillus helveticus and Bifidobacterium longum) or a matched placebo, in a double-blind trial for 8 weeks. Data were analysed as intent-to-treat.Results:No significant difference was found between the probiotic and placebo groups on any psychological outcome measure (Cohen’s d range = 0.07–0.16) or any blood-based biomarker. At end-point, 9 (23%) of those in the probiotic group showed a ⩾60% change on the Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (responders), compared to 10 (26%) of those in the placebo group (χ12=0.107, p = ns). Baseline vitamin D level was found to moderate treatment effect on several outcome measures. Dry mouth and sleep disruption were reported more frequently in the placebo group.Conclusions:This study found no evidence that the probiotic formulation is effective in treating low mood, or in moderating the levels of inflammatory and other biomarkers. The lack of observed effect on mood symptoms may be due to the severity, chronicity or treatment resistance of the sample; recruiting an antidepressant-naive sample experiencing mild, acute symptoms of low mood, may well yield a different result. Future studies taking a preventative approach or using probiotics as an adjuvant treatment may also be more effective. Vitamin D levels should be monitored in future studies in the area. The results of this trial are preliminary; future studies in the area should not be discouraged.

Objective: To characterize the psychiatric, psychosocial and cognitive functioning of adolescent ADHD females in comparison with female controls and ADHD males. Female controls were also compared to male controls to verify gender differences in a nonclinical sample.Methods: 107 adolescents from Southern Ontario aged 13 to 16 were included: 24 ADHD females, 35 ADHD males, 28 control females and 20 control males. All were assessed using semi-structured interviews, questionnaires and tests of achievement and intellectual functioning.Results: After controlling for parental education and estimated FSIQ, ADHD females were more impaired than control females in: depression, anxiety, distress, teacher relationships, stress, attributional styles, locus of control, and on all cognitive and achievement measures. ADHD females were more impaired than ADHD males in self-reported anxiety, distress, depression, locus of control, and vocabulary scores. These group differences were confirmed by higher ratings by parents and teachers in symptoms of psychopathology. ADHD males were more impaired in processing speed. Some gender differences (locus of control and vocabulary scores) were eliminated when controlling for ADHD severity. The absence of any differences between male and female controls indicates gender differences were specific to the clinical groups.Conclusion: ADHD females are at high risk for more psychological impairment than both ADHD males and control females. The identified psychosocial problems point to areas for intervention.

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Micronutrients improved overall function, reduced impairment and improved inattention, emotional regulation and aggression, but not hyperactive/impulsive symptoms, in this sample of children with ADHD. Although direct benefit for core ADHD symptoms was modest, with mixed findings across raters, the low rate of adverse effects and the benefits reported across multiple areas of functioning indicate micronutrients may be a favourable option for some children, particularly those with both ADHD and emotional dysregulation. Trial registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12613000896774.

There are many adults being identified with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) who were not diagnosed as children. The current study investigated psychological functioning in women identified in adulthood as having ADHD. Participants were 102 women, aged 26 to 59, fulfilling (N = 51) and not fulfilling (N = 51) the criteria for ADHD. Home interviews were conducted, consisting of both structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Results revealed that the women with ADHD reported more depressive symptoms, were more anxious and more stressed, had more external loci of control, had lower self-esteem, and engaged more in emotion-oriented and less in task-oriented coping strategies. This study emphasized the need to focus more research on females with ADHD and highlighted possible effects of a late diagnosis.

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It has been widely hypothesized that both diet and the microbiome play a role in the regulation of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) behaviour. However, there has been very limited scientific investigation into the potential biological connection. We performed a 10-week pilot study investigating the effects of a broad spectrum micronutrient administration on faecal microbiome content, using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The study consisted of 17 children (seven in the placebo and ten in the treatment group) between the ages of seven and 12 years, who were diagnosed with ADHD. We found that micronutrient treatment did not drive large-scale changes in composition or structure of the microbiome. However, observed OTUs significantly increased in the treatment group, and showed no mean change in the placebo group. The differential abundance and relative frequency of Actinobacteria significantly decreased post- micronutrient treatment, and this was largely attributed to species from the genus Bifidobacterium . This was compensated by an increase in the relative frequency of species from the genus Collinsella . Further research is required to establish the role that Bifidobacterium contribute towards neuropsychiatric disorders; however, these findings suggest that micronutrient administration could be used as a safe, therapeutic method to modulate Bifidobacterium abundance, which could have potential implications for modulating and regulating ADHD behaviour. Our pilot study provides an initial observation into this area of research, and highlights an interesting avenue for further investigation in a larger cohort. Furthermore, these novel results provide a basis for future research on the biological connection between ADHD, diet and the microbiome.