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What is attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? Why are so many children being diagnosed with ADHD and prescribed medication? Are stimulant drugs an effective and safe treatment strategy? This article explores the current state of scientific research into ADHD and the key social and ethical concerns that are emerging from the sharp rise in the number of diagnoses and the use of stimulant drug treatments in children. Collaborations among scientists, social scientists and ethicists are likely to be the most promising route to understanding what ADHD is and what stimulant drugs do.

Original publication

DOI

10.1038/nrn2514

Type

Journal article

Journal

Nat Rev Neurosci

Publication Date

12/2008

Volume

9

Pages

957 - 964

Keywords

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Ethics, Medical, Humans, Science