Blood pressure drug may offer safer ADHD treatment: Study

A new study suggests that amlodipine, a widely used blood pressure medication, could be an effective and safer treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

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The research, published in Neuropsychopharmacology, was conducted by an international team, including scientists from the University of Surrey.

The study tested five potential drugs on rats bred to exhibit ADHD-like symptoms. Among these, only amlodipine significantly reduced hyperactivity. To confirm its effects, researchers then tested the drug in zebrafish, an important model for studying brain function due to their genetic similarity to humans. The findings showed that amlodipine reduced both hyperactivity and impulsivity, the core symptoms of ADHD.

A key breakthrough in this research was the discovery that amlodipine crosses the blood-brain barrier, meaning it can directly influence brain function. This was the first time this effect had been observed, indicating a potential neurological impact of the drug.