Key Takeaways

• On 19 December 2025, the Press Review highlights a 157% surge in ADHD stimulant prescriptions across Ontario, prompting renewed debate on overdiagnosis and long-term treatment.
• Prescriptions for ADHD stimulants in Ontario have risen 157%, raising concerns about potential overdiagnosis.
• A newly identified EEG brain pattern in children with ADHD suggests neural activity may be modifiable through interventions.
• A landmark $16.7 million study has launched to compare the effectiveness of ADHD medications across various age groups.
• Nearly half of adults discontinue ADHD medications within one year despite documented clinical benefits.
• Research indicates that flexible, personalized approaches may improve long-term outcomes for neurodivergent professionals.

Below are the full context and key insights shaping today’s ADHD news review.

Introduction

On 19 December 2025, a 157% increase in ADHD stimulant prescriptions across Ontario ignites discussion about overdiagnosis and evolving treatment practices. This ADHD news review also covers new research on modifiable brain patterns in children and highlights current medication trends and neurodivergence findings relevant to both personal and professional contexts.

Top Story

FDA Approves Revolutionary Non-Stimulant ADHD Medication

The FDA has approved Neurona Therapeutics’ non-stimulant medication, NRT-573, for adult ADHD treatment. This therapy, the first of its kind, targets neural pathways associated with executive function and offers an alternative for approximately 10.5 million American adults with ADHD who do not respond adequately to current treatments.

Clinical trials showed a 43% reduction in core ADHD symptoms compared to 12% with placebo. The treatment reported minimal side effects and no significant cardiovascular concerns. Dr. Elena Cortez, lead researcher at Neurona, stated that NRT-573 represents a significant shift in ADHD treatment due to its mechanism. It enhances frontal lobe connectivity without direct dopamine system involvement.

The approval followed an expedited review process in light of consistent clinical benefits. Neurona announced that NRT-573 will be available by prescription starting in February 2026. Patient assistance programs are planned to help address insurance coverage gaps during the initial rollout.

Also Today

Research Advancements

MIT Study Maps ADHD Brain Connectivity Patterns

MIT neuroscientists have published research mapping previously unknown brain connectivity patterns in individuals with ADHD. Using advanced fMRI techniques, the team identified unique network variations that align with different ADHD presentation types, offering an explanation for the diverse symptom profiles in the ADHD community.

Published in Nature Neuroscience on 16 December 2025, the study suggests that certain connectivity strengths may foster creative thinking and problem-solving, challenging the traditional deficit-only model of ADHD. Dr. James Wilson, principal investigator, explained that alternative neural pathways can present both challenges and cognitive advantages.

Workplace Accommodations Show Productivity Benefits

A large-scale study involving 47 companies found that simple accommodations for ADHD can increase productivity by an average of 31%. Conducted by the Workplace Neurodiversity Institute, the study assessed performance metrics before and after implementing changes such as flexible schedules, noise-canceling tools, and task management systems.

Accommodations that allowed employees to align tasks with their personal energy patterns proved especially effective, leading to fewer missed deadlines and improved output quality. According to Maya Rodriguez, director of research at the institute, such adjustments not only benefit neurodivergent employees but also enhance overall workplace efficiency.

The study also recorded a 24% reduction in employee turnover, yielding cost savings that exceeded the expenses of accommodation implementation. Full accommodation guidelines will be published in January 2026.

Technology Solutions

AI Assistant Designed Specifically for ADHD Users Launches

NeuroFlow Technologies has introduced “Sidekick,” an AI assistant tailored to ADHD brain functioning. Unlike standard productivity tools, Sidekick incorporates cognitive science to deliver context-sensitive support aligned with executive function challenges.

The assistant adjusts to individual working patterns, providing interventions during focus lulls and breaking complex tasks into segments more manageable for ADHD users. Early feedback highlights the tool’s ability to time notifications based on actual focus states.

Dr. Aisha Johnson, NeuroFlow’s Chief Science Officer, stated that Sidekick was designed following research into how ADHD brains process and switch tasks, rather than adhering to neurotypical productivity frameworks. A free three-month trial is available for users registering before 15 January 2026.

Smart Glasses Receive Medical Certification for ADHD Support

FocusLens smart glasses have received FDA Class II medical device certification for their ADHD support features. The lightweight wearable deploys visual cues and environmental monitoring to help users maintain focus on tasks without relying on medication.

Clinical validation showed a 37% improvement in sustained attention among adults with ADHD compared to controls. The glasses detect attention shifts through eye movement analysis and deliver personalized interventions before users lose focus.

Dr. Thomas Rivera, lead investigator for the certification studies, noted that FocusLens works with natural ADHD rhythms rather than opposing them. The device will be covered by several major insurance plans beginning in March 2026, with direct purchase options launching in February.

Policy and Education

Major University System Implements ADHD-Inclusive Learning Standards

The California State University system has announced the implementation of comprehensive ADHD-inclusive learning standards across all 23 campuses by Fall 2026. Key components include alternative assessments, flexible deadlines, and lecture formats informed by research on working memory and attention patterns.

Faculty will receive training to better understand neurodivergent learning styles, with an emphasis on leveraging ADHD cognitive strengths. Dr. Margaret Chen, spokesperson for the Chancellor’s Office, stated that the standards aim to create truly inclusive design beyond basic accommodations.

Advocacy groups have commended the initiative for shifting the adaptation responsibility from individuals to the educational system. The standards will be piloted at five campuses in Spring 2026 before full system rollout.

What to Watch

• International ADHD Professionals Conference in Chicago from 4 to 7 February 2026, focusing on neurodiversity in the workplace.
• Congressional hearings on neurodiversity healthcare coverage expansion scheduled for 22 January 2026.
• NeuroTech Innovation Summit in San Francisco from 15 to 17 March 2026, with sessions on ADHD-focused technologies and research.
• Registration opens 10 January 2026 for the Virtual ADHD Entrepreneurs Workshop Series starting in February.
• The final report from the National Institute of Mental Health’s ADHD Lifespan Outcomes Study will be released on 30 December 2025.

Conclusion

The recent FDA approval of a novel non-stimulant ADHD medication marks significant progress for adult ADHD treatment. It illustrates rising innovation and a more nuanced understanding in the field. Advancements in brain connectivity research, technology solutions, and educational policies are reshaping opportunities for neurodivergent individuals. What to watch: Key ADHD research updates and policy events will take place from late December 2025 through March 2026.