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Major EU grant strengthens Danish ADHD research

Associate Professor Ditte Demontis from Aarhus University conducts research into psychiatric genetics and is leading the genetics part of a major international research project which aims to promote the understanding and treatment of obesity and diabetes among people with ADHD.

2021.05.05 | Sabina Bjerre Hansen

Ditte Demontis from the Department of Biomedicine is one of the initiators behind a major international research project focusing on lifestyle diseases and ADHD. The project is financed by Horizon2020 funds. Photo: Private.

Ditte Demontis from the Department of Biomedicine is one of the initiators behind a major international research project focusing on lifestyle diseases and ADHD. The project is financed by Horizon2020 funds. Photo: Private.

ADHD patients in successful treatment with medication have a reduced risk of e.g. drug abuse, accidents and doing poorly in school. Nevertheless, approximately half of all ADHD patients discontinue their medication within two years, and no one knows exactly why.

In a new international research project called TIMESPAN, Ditte Demontis and her research colleagues will examine the role played by genetics in relation to the discontinuation of the ADHD medication. The researchers will also investigate, whether the genetics that increase the risk of discontinuing the ADHD medication also overlap with genetics that increase the risk of other psychiatric disorders, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Finally, part of the project focuses on developing new recommendations for treatment guidelines that benefit patients as well as clinicians and health authorities.

The TIMESPAN project is a large interdisciplinary project that brings together 17 partners from academia, small and medium-sized enterprises, patients and caregivers. The Horizon 2020 grant totals DKK 45 million, of which DKK 2.2 million is allocated to Ditte Demontis' part of the project.

Contact
Associate Professor Ditte Demontis
Aarhus University, Department of Biomedicine
Mobile: (+45) 28 53 97 46
Email: ditte@biomed.au.dk

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