MedPage Today (8/7) reports, “Methylphenidate (Ritalin) may be a first-choice attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder” (AD/HD) “medication for kids, while amphetamines may be preferred for adults,” researchers concluded. The findings of the 133-trial meta-analysis were published online Aug. 7 in The Lancet Psychiatry. The authors of an accompanying comment observed, “The results support a moderating effect of age on first-line medication choice, consistent with current use patterns in the USA, with greatest support for methylphenidate in children and adolescents and amphetamine formulations in adults.”

Related Links:

— “The Best ADHD Medication? Meta-Analysis Offers Some Answers, “Kristen Monaco, MedPage Today, August 07, 2018.

Healio (8/6, Demko) reported, “Combined results of a meta-analysis and Swedish population-based study supported a significant link between” attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) “and asthma, which remained after controlling for possible confounders,” research indicated. The findings were published online July 24 in The Lancet Psychiatry.

Related Links:

— “The Best ADHD Medication? Meta-Analysis Offers Some Answers, “Savannah Demko, Healio, August 06, 2018.

Medscape (8/2, Brooks, Subscription Publication) reports researchers found that “antihypertensive therapy to lower elevated blood pressure (BP) decreases the risk for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in older adults, and the benefits may be gained by several different drug classes.” The findings were presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference.

Related Links:

— Medscape (requires login and subscription)

APA is supporting an initiative by Research! America and the National Science Policy Network to offer grants to scientists to increase engagement between scientists and candidates in the upcoming midterm elections. The Bipartisan Candidate Engagement Initiative supports science graduate students and trainees in working to elevate the importance of scientific research, innovation, and public health—including mental health—in the national conversation among candidates. Science policy groups managed by graduate students and postdocs are eligible to apply; awards range from $1,000 to $3,000, with the potential for up to $5,000 for high-impact proposals. Proposals are due by August 10. Learn more and apply.

TIME (8/1, Park) reports on a study including data on “more than 9,000 middle-aged people ages 35 to 55, who were followed for about 23 years,” which found that “those with drinking habits at the two extremes – people who abstained from drinking, as well as those who drank more than around 14 glasses of wine a week – showed higher risk of dementia than those who drank one to eight glasses of wine a week.” Specifically, people “who drank more than 14 units of alcohol a week on average from midlife to older age had a 40% increased risk of developing dementia compared to people who drank less.”

Related Links:

— “Drinking Too Much Alcohol (And Too Little) Is Linked to Dementia, “Alicia Park, TIME Health, August 01, 2018.