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• A recent study suggests there may be three different biotypes of ADHD.
• The findings suggest that each biotype (subtype) of ADHD may have its own distinct chemical reactions in the brain.
• Experts say that more research is needed, but the study could mark a shift in how ADHD is diagnosed and treated.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder.

Symptoms of ADHD can vary in severity, and around 6 in 10 children have moderate to severe symptoms.

Current treatment for ADHD is typically categorized by age group. However, it generally involves a combination of medications and behavioral therapies.

A recent study published in JAMA Psychiatry suggests that there may be three distinct subtypes of ADHD.

“This could mark the beginning of the end for one-size-fits-all ADHD treatment,” said Rod Mitchell, a registered psychologist and founder of Emotions Therapy, Calgary, AB, Canada, who was not involved in the study.

“If each biotype involves different neural circuits and neurotransmitter systems, then the standard ‘diagnose, prescribe stimulant, adjust dose’ approach may only be well-suited to one of the three groups,” he told Healthline.

The study looked at the chemical and structural patterns of the brains of 1,154 participants with ADHD.

When they analyzed brain scans and neurochemical signals, they found that ADHD did not affect everyone’s brain activity the same way.

They noticed that three distinctive patterns seemed to emerge.

The three subtypes of ADHD that they found were:

• severe combined with emotional dysregulation
• predominantly hyperactive/impulsive
• predominatly inattentive

“Each biotype tells a distinct neurobiological story,” said Mitchell.

He explained that the predominantly inattentive type showed alterations in a region tied to sustained attention and filtering distraction.

The predominantly hyperactive/impulsive type showed disruption in circuitry that governs impulse braking and action regulation. Both broadly align with what clinicians have observed for years.

“Interestingly, their phenotypes mirror the DSM-5,” said David Goodman, MD, assistant professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, MD, and a clinical associate professor at the Department of Psychiatry at Norton School of Medicine, State University of New York, Syracuse, NY. Goodman wasn’t involved in the study.

“In some way, these findings support the utility of the DSM-5 when pursuing this research population,” Goodman told Healthline.

The severe-combined type with emotional dysregulation is where this study breaks new ground.

This type showed the most widespread brain alterations, the most persistent emotional dysregulation over time, and preliminary signals of elevated mood disorder comorbidity — all underpinned by involvement across serotonin, dopamine, acetylcholine, and histamine pathways simultaneously, explained Mitchell.

“That neurochemical complexity helps explain why these are often the clients who don’t respond to stimulant medication alone,” Mitchell said.

The researchers note that understanding subtypes of ADHD may, “ultimately create a path toward developing personalised therapeutic strategies.”

“The correlation of neural networks and 3 biotypes in this study supports ongoing research with this concept … until a large, well-controlled clinical study demonstrates the clear benefit of one compound over another for a specific symptom cluster, this current research contributes to the evolution of ADHD neuroscience with guarded clinical applicability,” said Goodman.

Diagnosing ADHD involves several steps. The CDC states that there is no single test to diagnose the condition.

Treatment for ADHD most often involves a combination of behavioral therapy and medications.

This can depend on the age at which a person is diagnosed, however. For example, for children under 6, parent training in behavior management is generally the first line of treatment before medication.

For children ages 6 years and over, treatment generally involves a combination of therapy and medications. Behavior therapy helps the child learn how to reduce certain behaviors and increase self-regulation skills. It also typically involves training for parents.

There are two types of medications for ADHD: stimulant and non-stimulant.

It’s important for parents to work closely with healthcare professionals to find the right treatment for their child.

• “Boy kibble” is a food trend that’s been gaining popularity on social media, especially among Gen Z men.
• Usually made up of ground beef and rice, the trend is being shared as an inexpensive, simple high protein meal to support muscle building.
• Nutrition experts say the dish can provide important nutrients, but discourage eating it daily without modification.
• Eating the same meal repeatedly may lead to nutritional gaps.

“Boy Kibble” is the latest viral meal trend that’s taking over social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

The trend has been described as the male counterpart to the 2023 “girl dinner” phenomenon, in which women shared casual, snack-style meals of small portions of various foods.

“Boy Kibble,” on the other hand, is exactly what it sounds like. Much like kibble for pets, it’s a basic, no-frills meal that typically consists of ground beef and white rice.

Across social media, fitness influencers and gym-focused creators say the dish helps them easily hit their daily protein targets without spending much time cooking or money on takeout.

Many claim they eat the meal several times a week, while some say it’s part of their everyday routine.

Unlike many viral social media diet trends, experts say “boy kibble” does have some benefits, especially when the recipe is modified.

However, it can also pose some risks if the basic recipe is eaten too often.

Jennifer L House, MSc, RD, a dietitian with First Step Nutrition, says there’s a lot to like about the “boy kibble.”

“It’s cheaper than eating out, easy to make and batch cook, and nutrient-dense (especially if you add veggies),” she told Healthline.

“Almost 50% of our calories come from highly processed foods, so I support any kind of home cooking, no matter how basic.”

As for its nutritional plus points?

“Ground beef is a complete protein, which helps maintain muscle, repair tissue, and build antibodies. A 100g serving contains over 100% of our daily requirement for Vitamin B12, which is found [naturally] only in animal products,” House said.

“Beef contains other important minerals, too, such as zinc, which supports immunity, and iron, [which is necessary for hemoglobin], which transports oxygen in our bodies.”

She added that “boy Kibble” doesn’t have to be just for boys.

“The iron in beef is more important for women and growing children, who have higher iron needs. Many adult women are low in iron, which can lead to poor sleep, poor immunity, and lack of energy,” she said.

It’s important to note that not all rice is equal in nutrients. White rice, which is refined, has had its fiber and protein stripped out. This means that it behaves like a simple carb in the body.

“The carbohydrates in rice complement ground beef as they provide the energy you need for your workout and to replenish the energy that was used during your workout,” Kezia Joy, registered dietitian nutritionist and medical advisor at Welzo, told Healthline.

“The two together may serve as a viable base for a post-workout or high-energy meal.”

While the basic “boy kibble” recipe has some nutritional merit, experts are raising concerns about how often some people claim to eat it.

“The basic ‘boy kibble’ meal includes meat and rice. If this is all someone ate, three times a day, they would be low in fiber, calcium, and some vitamins and minerals, such as Vitamin C and folate, as well as antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables,” House said.

She said she strongly discourages people from eating basic ‘boy kibble’ “for three meals a day, or even once a day, especially if it’s just meat and rice with no veggies added.”

Joy agreed, noting that while eating the same meal every day can make tracking calories or protein easier, “dietary variety is very important to ensure that you are getting all of the nutrients your body needs.”

“Rotating different proteins, grains, and vegetables daily will help guarantee that you are getting all of the vitamins, minerals, and beneficial plant compounds your body needs to be healthy over time,” she said.

She also noted that even healthy foods can lead to deficiencies if you eat them repeatedly without variety.

House said she isn’t surprised to see “boy kibble” trending, especially among young men who may find it appealing because it removes some barriers to healthy eating.

“Boy kibble’ is simple, easy to make, and requires little time and mental energy to prepare. If it’s batch-cooked and pre-portioned, it’s just as easy to come home and microwave your ‘boy kibble’ as it is to hit a drive-thru,” she said.

“One of the barriers to cooking at home and eating healthily is the time and energy it takes to meal-plan. This recipe simplifies that process.”

Experts say the basic beef-and-rice “boy kibble” meal can be easily modified with a few simple additions to make it even healthier and more nutritionally balanced.

“Adding frozen mixed veggies or broccoli doesn’t add much prep time, but it boosts nutrition,” House said.

“Or, you could throw in a handful of bagged kale or spinach to add calcium, fiber, and antioxidants,” she added.

If you’re eating it regularly, House suggests occasionally swapping rice for another carbohydrate.

And don’t forget that taste matters too.

“I would like to see some spices, such as garlic powder and cumin, or sauces, such as salsa, added. Not only will it make the meal far tastier, but spices also contain flavonoids and other healthy antioxidants,” House said.