AI tool can detect ADHD before children are diagnosed 

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Duke Health researchers have found artificial intelligence tools that can locate the risk of children developing ADHD before a traditional diagnosis.

Duke Health researchers have found artificial intelligence tools that can analyze health records to estimate the risk of developing attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder before a traditional diagnosis. 

The research, published in Nature Mental Health on April 27, cites how information collected during regular health care visits can support early decision making by primary care providers. ADHD affects millions of children, but many go years without diagnosis, thus missing a chance for early support that can change long-term outcomes. 

“We have this incredibly rich source of information sitting in electronic health records,” said Elliot Hill, lead author of the study and data scientist in the Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics at Duke University School of Medicine. “The idea was to see whether patterns hidden in that data could help us predict which children might later be diagnosed with ADHD, well before that diagnosis usually happens.”

By reviewing patterns in everyday medical data, the approach could help identify children who could benefit from earlier evaluation. 

A team of five researchers analyzed electronic health records from more than 140,000 children, with and without ADHD. They trained a specialized AI model to look at medical history from birth to early childhood that learned to recognize combinations of developmental, behavioral, and clinical events that appeared years before an ADHD diagnosis.

The model was accurate at estimating future risk in children age 5 and older, with consistent performance across sex, race, ethnicity, and insurance status. 

The tool doesn’t make a diagnosis; rather it identifies children who may benefit from closer attention by their health care provider or an earlier referral for ADHD assessment by a specialist. 

“This is not an AI doctor,” said Matthew Engelhard, M.D., Ph.D. senior author of the study and a doctor at Duke’s Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics. “It’s a tool to help clinicians focus their time and resources, so kids who need help don’t fall through the cracks or wait years for answers.”

The researchers contend earlier identification for ADHD screening could lead to earlier diagnosis and earlier support as a result, which is linked to better academic, social, and health outcomes. They also emphasize the need for further studies before such tools are applied in clinical settings.

“Children with ADHD can really struggle when their needs aren’t understood and adequate supports are not in place,” said study author, Naomi Davis, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. “Connecting families with timely, evidence-based interventions is essential for helping them achieve their goals and laying a foundation for future success.”

The study was supported by grants from the National Institute of Mental Health and National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences.

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