Here are the top 10 Highly Cited ADHD Articles with Expanded Summaries & DOIs

1. Shaw et al., 2007

Title: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is characterized by a delay in cortical maturation.
Journal: PNAS, 104(49), 19649–19654.
Summary:
Using longitudinal MRI scans, Shaw and colleagues demonstrated that cortical maturation, especially in the prefrontal regions involved in attention control and executive function, is delayed by several years in children with ADHD compared to typically developing peers. However, the trajectory of development remains similar — suggesting that ADHD is more about timing disruptions than permanent structural abnormalities.
🔗 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0707741104

2. Faraone et al., 2005

Title: The worldwide prevalence of ADHD: is it an American condition?
Journal: World Psychiatry, 4(2), 104–113.
Summary:
This important meta-analysis challenged cultural biases by showing that ADHD is a universal condition, with consistent prevalence across different continents and cultures. Variability in diagnosis and treatment rates were attributed more to healthcare systems and diagnostic practices rather than true differences in disorder rates.
🔗 DOI: 10.1002/j.2051-5545.2005.tb00184.x

3. Biederman et al., 1999

Title: Clinical correlates of ADHD in females.
Journal: J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry, 38(8), 966–975.
Summary:
Historically under-researched, ADHD in girls was addressed by Biederman et al., who found that females experience significant functional impairments — including academic struggles, social difficulties, and emotional dysregulation — even though they present with less overt hyperactivity compared to boys. This paper emphasized the need for gender-sensitive diagnostic criteria.
🔗 DOI: 10.1097/00004583-199908000-00011

4. Rubia et al., 2014

Title: Effects of stimulants on brain function in ADHD: a meta-analysis.
Journal: Biol Psychiatry, 76(8), 616–628.
Summary:
Rubia and colleagues systematically reviewed imaging studies and showed that stimulant medications normalize underactivity in fronto-striatal and fronto-cerebellar networks — areas crucial for inhibition, attention, and working memory. This brain-based evidence supports why stimulants are the gold standard pharmacotherapy in ADHD treatment.
🔗 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2013.10.016

5. Hoogman et al., 2017

Title: Subcortical brain volume differences in ADHD: a mega-analysis.
Journal: The Lancet Psychiatry, 4(4), 310–319.
Summary:
In one of the largest neuroimaging studies conducted, Hoogman et al. used data from over 1,700 individuals and found significant reductions in subcortical structures such as the amygdala, nucleus accumbens, and hippocampus in ADHD patients. These results provide robust biological evidence that ADHD is associated with measurable structural brain differences.
🔗 DOI: 10.1016/S2215-0366(17)30049-4

6. Cortese et al., 2018

Title: Comparative efficacy and tolerability of medications for ADHD: a network meta-analysis.
Journal: The Lancet Psychiatry, 5(9), 727–738.
Summary:
Through a network meta-analysis of 133 double-blind randomized controlled trials, Cortese et al. provided a hierarchical ranking of ADHD medications. They found methylphenidate most effective for children/adolescents and amphetamines for adults, with atomoxetine and guanfacine as secondary options. This work has direct implications for real-world prescribing practices.
🔗 DOI: 10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30269-4

7. Sonuga-Barke et al., 2013

Title: Nonpharmacological interventions for ADHD: meta-analyses.
Journal: Am J Psychiatry, 170(3), 275–289.
Summary:
Sonuga-Barke’s review analyzed dietary (like omega-3 supplementation) and psychological (like behavioral therapy) interventions. While nonpharmacologic treatments showed modest but meaningful benefits, they stressed that parenting interventions and restricted elimination diets had the strongest evidence among non-drug therapies, emphasizing multi-modal treatment strategies.
🔗 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2012.12070991

8. Barry et al., 2003

Title: Electrophysiology in ADHD: Event-related potentials.
Journal: Clin Neurophysiol, 114(2), 184–198.
Summary:
Barry et al. reviewed electrophysiological markers and found reduced P3 amplitudes and other ERP abnormalities in ADHD individuals. This suggests that ADHD involves core cognitive processing deficits related to attention allocation, inhibition, and error monitoring, providing neurophysiological validation of cognitive models of ADHD.
🔗 DOI: 10.1016/S1388-2457(02)00363-2

9. Hart et al., 2013

Title: Meta-analysis of fMRI studies of inhibition and attention in ADHD.
Journal: JAMA Psychiatry, 70(2), 185–198.
Summary:
Hart and colleagues found consistent hypoactivation in right frontal and cingulate regions during tasks involving inhibition and attention. Interestingly, stimulant medication partially reversed this hypoactivation. Their findings strongly link executive function impairments in ADHD to specific functional brain abnormalities.
🔗 DOI: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2013.307

10. Kessler et al., 2005

Title: Prevalence, severity, and comorbidity of DSM-IV disorders: National Comorbidity Survey Replication.
Journal: Arch Gen Psychiatry, 62(6), 617–627.
Summary:
Analyzing large-scale epidemiological data, Kessler’s team confirmed that adult ADHD is highly prevalent and is often comorbid with mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders. This study underscored the need for routine ADHD screening in both mental health and primary care settings.
🔗 DOI: 10.1001/archpsyc.62.6.617