Reward processing has been proposed to underpin the atypical social feature of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, previous neuroimaging studies have yielded inconsistent results regarding the specificity of atypicalities for social reward processing in ASD.

Utilising a large sample, we aimed to assess reward processing in response to reward type (social, monetary) and reward phase (anticipation, delivery) in ASD.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging during social and monetary reward anticipation and delivery was performed in 212 individuals with ASD (7.6–30.6 years of age) and 181 typically developing participants (7.6–30.8 years of age).

Across social and monetary reward anticipation, whole-brain analyses showed hypoactivation of the right ventral striatum in participants with ASD compared with typically developing participants. Further, region of interest analysis across both reward types yielded ASD-related hypoactivation in both the left and right ventral striatum. Across delivery of social and monetary reward, hyperactivation of the ventral striatum in individuals with ASD did not survive correction for multiple comparisons. Dimensional analyses of autism and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) scores were not significant. In categorical analyses, post hoc comparisons showed that ASD effects were most pronounced in participants with ASD without co-occurring ADHD.

Our results do not support current theories linking atypical social interaction in ASD to specific alterations in social reward processing. Instead, they point towards a generalised hypoactivity of ventral striatum in ASD during anticipation of both social and monetary rewards. We suggest this indicates attenuated reward seeking in ASD independent of social content and that elevated ADHD symptoms may attenuate altered reward seeking in ASD.

Although smoking prevalence has been decreasing worldwide, sustained tobacco cessation remains a challenging goal for many smokers. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products remain among the most widespread type of cessation tobacco aids, along with the more recently introduced electronic cigarette, the efficiency of which is still a matter of debate in the public health community.

This study aims to contribute to the ongoing discussion about effective ways of encouraging tobacco cessation and in particular evaluating the role of the two aforementioned tobacco cessation aids with regard to lasting smoking abstinence in real-life settings.

The study is based on the French 2017 Health Barometer, a cross-sectional survey conducted by Santé Publique France. Two distinct outcomes related to tobacco cessation were used: smoking status at 6 months follow-up (yes vs. no) and the duration of smoking abstinence. These two study outcomes were examined respectively among N1 = 2783 and N2 = 1824 participants. All results were weighted based on inclusion probability weights and controlled for propensity scores via overlap weighting (OW), which is appropriate when exposure groups are disparate.

After adjusting on potential confounders, tobacco cessation at 6 months remains significantly associated with e-cigarette use (OR: 1.50 (1.12-1.99)) and e-cigarette use combined with NRT (OR:1.88 (1.15-3.07)). This association did not reach statistical significance in the long-term analysis, nor did the results of NRT use alone in both analyses.

Overall, while electronic cigarette use alone and combined with NRT is associated with an increase in the likelihood of smoking cessation, the long-term effects are probably limited.

No significant relationships.

We studied the associations between Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms and the neurobehavioral status in two population-based birth cohorts.

Children (n = 467) were assessed by psychologists and teachers for neuropsychological functioning (McCarthy Scales, MCSA), inattention-hyperactivity symptoms (ADHD-DSM-IV form list) and social behavior (California Preschool Social Competence Scale, CPSCS). Regression models were used with covariate adjustment.

Sixteen percent of children had ADHD-DSM-IV symptoms. MCSA scores were linearly associated with ADHD symptom scores (general cognitive Beta = −0.6 [−1.0; −0.3] per symptom), specifically inattention scores (general cognitive Beta = −1.8 [−2.3; −1.2]). CPSCS scores were associated with ADHD symptoms (Beta = −2.19 [−2.5; −1.9]). MCSA scores of executive function, perceptive-performance and quantitative sub-areas had stronger associations with ADHD symptoms.

Preschooler ADHD symptoms are associated with concurrent decrements in neurocognitive and social competence functioning. The association patterns are similar to those found in older children with ADHD symptomology (Marks et al., 2005 [36], Seidman, 2006 [46], Sonuga-Barke et al., 2003 [48], Yochman et al., 2006 [53]).

The purpose of this longitudinal study was to investigate the relationship between the 5-HTTLPR genotype, symptoms of ADHD in adolescence and adulthood, and educational attainment in a population representative sample. Neuroticism, depressive symptoms and general mental abilities were controlled for as possible confounding factors.

ADHD symptoms were reported at age 15 and 18 by teachers using the Hyperactivity Scale of af Klinteberg and SNAP-IV, and self-reported at age 25 using the ASRS. Data about education were reported at age 25.

At age 15, subjects with the l/l genotype had more concentration difficulties compared to s-allele carriers, and they also had more inattention symptoms according to SNAP-IV at age 18. These results were not altered by taking neuroticism or depressive symptoms into account. No 5-HTTLPR genotype effect on self-reported ADHD symptoms at age 25 was found. Inattention symptoms in adolescence were associated with lower education in young adulthood. The proportion of subjects with higher education at age 25 was significantly larger among s/s genotype compared to the l/l or s/l genotype.

The l/l genotype of the 5-HTTLPR is associated with inattentive symptoms during adolescence in the general population, and increases the likelihood of inferior educational level in young adulthood.

There is debate as to whether maternal tobacco use in pregnancy is related to offspring behaviour later on. We tested this association examining multiple aspects of children's behaviour at age 5 and accounting for parental smoking outside of pregnancy, as well as child and family characteristics.

Data come from a prospective community based birth cohort study (EDEN; n = 1113 families in France followed since pregnancy in 2003–2005 until the child's 5th birthday). Maternal tobacco use in pregnancy was self-reported. Children's socio-emotional development (emotional symptoms, conduct problems, symptoms of hyperactivity/inattention, peer relationship problems, prosocial behaviour) was assessed by mothers using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) at age 5 years. Logistic regression analyses controlled for Inverse Probability Weights (IPW) of maternal tobacco use calculated based on study center, children's characteristics (sex, premature birth, low birth weight, breastfeeding), maternal characteristics (age at the child's birth, psychological difficulties and alcohol use in pregnancy, post-pregnancy depression, and smoking), paternal smoking in and post-pregnancy, parental educational attainment, family income, parental separation, and maternal negative life events.

Maternal smoking in pregnancy only predicted children's high symptoms of hyperactivity/inattention (sex and study center-adjusted ORs: maternal smoking in the 1st trimester: 1.95, 95%CI: 1.13–3.38; maternal smoking throughout pregnancy: OR = 2.11, 95%CI: 1.36–3.27). In IPW-controlled regression models, only children of mothers who smoked throughout pregnancy had significantly elevated levels of hyperactivity/inattention (OR = 2.20, 95%CI: 1.21–4.00).

Maternal tobacco smoking in pregnancy may contribute directly or through epigenetic mechanisms to children's symptoms of hyperactivity/inattention.

There is a high need for evidence-based psychosocial treatments for adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to offer alongside treatment as usual (TAU). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is a promising psychosocial treatment. This trial investigated the efficacy of MBCT + TAU v. TAU in reducing core symptoms in adults with ADHD.

A multicentre, single-blind, randomised controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02463396). Participants were randomly assigned to MBCT + TAU (n = 60), an 8-weekly group therapy including meditation exercises, psychoeducation and group discussions, or TAU only (n = 60), which reflected usual treatment in the Netherlands and included pharmacotherapy and/or psychoeducation. Primary outcome was ADHD symptoms rated by blinded clinicians. Secondary outcomes included self-reported ADHD symptoms, executive functioning, mindfulness skills, self-compassion, positive mental health and general functioning. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, post-treatment, 3- and 6-month follow-up. Post-treatment effects at group and individual level, and follow-up effects were examined.

In MBCT + TAU patients, a significant reduction of clinician-rated ADHD symptoms was found at post-treatment [M difference = −3.44 (−5.75, −1.11), p = 0.004, d = 0.41]. This effect was maintained until 6-month follow-up. More MBCT + TAU (27%) than TAU participants (4%) showed a ⩽30% reduction of ADHD symptoms (p = 0.001). MBCT + TAU patients compared with TAU patients also reported significant improvements in ADHD symptoms, mindfulness skills, self-compassion and positive mental health at post-treatment, which were maintained until 6-month follow-up. Although patients in MBCT + TAU compared with TAU reported no improvement in executive functioning at post-treatment, they did report improvement at 6-month follow-up.

MBCT might be a valuable treatment option alongside TAU for adult ADHD aimed at alleviating symptoms.

Clinically ascertained reports suggest that boys and girls with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may differ from each other in their vulnerability to substance use problems.

A total of 1545 Finnish adolescents were assessed for DSM-IV-based ADHD symptoms by their parents and classroom teachers using standardized rating scales at age 11–12 years. At age 14, substance use disorders and psychiatric co-morbidity were assessed with the Semi-Structured Assessment for the Genetics of Alcoholism, providing DSM-III-R/DSM-IV diagnoses for Axis I disorders. At age 17.5, substance use was assessed by multi-item questionnaire.

Although baseline ADHD symptoms were less common among females, they were more predictive of adverse substance use outcomes once conduct disorder and previous substance use were controlled for. Only in females were baseline ADHD symptoms significant predictors of alcohol abuse and dependence and illicit drug use at age 14. At the age of 17.5, parents' reports of inattentiveness and hyperactivity were significant predictors for frequent alcohol use in both sexes, but they were more predictive of frequent alcohol and illicit drug use in girls. Impulsivity in teachers' ratings predicted frequent alcohol use and illicit drug use in boys. Parental reports of inattentiveness in their 11-/12-year-old daughters were a consistent predictor for illicit drug use across adolescence.

Inattentiveness and hyperactivity may be more predictive of alcohol use disorders and maladaptive patterns of alcohol and illicit drug use among girls than boys. The importance of these behavioural symptoms should be assessed further in the community, as they could jeopardize adolescents' successful transitioning into adult roles.