Market Potential

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates 4.4 million children (ages 4-17 years) have been diagnosed with ADHD.

ADHD is a commonly diagnosed behavioral disorder in childhood, represents a costly major public health problem. Classic symptoms of the disorder include hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity, which are highly heritable and become obvious before the age of seven. Children with ADHD have functional impairment across multiple settings including home, school, and peer relationships.

ADHD has also been shown to have long-term adverse effects on academic performance, vocational success, and social-emotional development. Children with ADHD experience an inability to sit still and pay attention in class and the negative consequences of such behavior. They experience peer rejection and engage in a broad array of disruptive behaviors. Their academic and social difficulties have far-reaching and long-term consequences. These children have higher injury rates. As they grow older, children with untreated ADHD, in combination with conduct disorders, experience drug abuse, antisocial behavior, and injuries of all sorts. For many individuals, the impact of ADHD continues into adulthood.

ADHD is the most commonly diagnosed disorder of childhood, estimated to affect between 3% and 9.5% of all school-age children worldwide, and occurring three times more often in boys than in girls. Half of the children with ADHD manifest symptoms throughout their lives. On average, about one child in every classroom in the United States needs help for this disorder. The NIH reports that more than $3 billion was added to public school expenditures for students with ADHD in the United States. Cortex proposes to address this costly and emotionally devastating problem with a new approach to ADHD treatment.