Story perspectives

Persistent ADHD Teens Show Rising Prefrontal Glutamate, Unlike Peers

6/24/2026

Summary

Story summary

Adolescents with persistent ADHD showed age-related increases in medial prefrontal cortex glutamate.
The study examined 161 youths, including 69 persistent, 20 remitting, and 72 non-ADHD participants, with boys comprising 80%, 75%, and 64% of each group.
Remitting and non-ADHD youths displayed age-related decreases in the same region.
Higher glutamate in persistent ADHD linked to connectivity between the default mode network and subcortical areas, although the design cannot prove causality.

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Story summary

Adolescents with persistent ADHD showed age-related increases in medial prefrontal cortex glutamate.
The study examined 161 youths, including 69 persistent, 20 remitting, and 72 non-ADHD participants, with boys comprising 80%, 75%, and 64% of each group.
Remitting and non-ADHD youths displayed age-related decreases in the same region.
Higher glutamate in persistent ADHD linked to connectivity between the default mode network and subcortical areas, although the design cannot prove causality.