Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurobiological condition characterized by developmentally inadequate levels of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, and a neurobiological disruption in brain neurotransmitters and circuitry causing abnormal responses to rewards. Playing electronic games generates a biological response that activates the neuronal circuits linked to pleasure and reward, and there is a growing attention to this type of activity, which can also turn into a mental health condition. The existence and the boundaries between the functional and the dysfunctional are still a source of debate, with the recognition of ‘Internet Gaming Disorder’ (IGD) as a condition belonging to the broader area of addiction requiring more in-depth study with respect to the DSM-5, while ‘Gaming Disorder’ (GD) was officially recognized as a new diagnosis by the World Health Organization (WHO) in the updated revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). Notwithstanding, the suggested criteria for the diagnosis of Gaming Disorder are still debated. Since ADHD has been reported as a risk factor for developing addictions, this narrative review aims to provide the current state-of-the art of the knowledge about the comorbidity between ADHD and Gaming Disorder. For this aim, a literature search was conducted using a combination of specific keywords and the results are discussed within the R-Do-C framework and dimensions, and implications for treatment are considered.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exerted a dramatic impact on everyday life globally. In this context, it has been reported that the lockdown and social distancing may have exerted an impact even on gambling behavior, not only by increasing gambling behavior in those affected by this disorder but even contributing to the occurrence of new cases. To explore such a possibility, we designed a cross-sectional web survey addressing a general population sample that lasted 3 weeks (March 23–April 20). Participants completed a survey including a demographic information section, a question regarding the presence of pathological gambling in the past and several questionnaires. These included the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Kellner's Symptom Questionnaire (SQ), and the version of The Yale Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale adapted for Pathological Gambling (PG-YBOCS) that investigated the presence of gambling behaviors in the last week. The final sample was composed by 254 subjects (112 males, 44.1%; 142 females, 55.9%). According to PG-YBOCS total score, pathological gambling has been found in 23.6% (n = 60) of the sample (53 males, 88.3%; 7 females, 11.7%), which is a high frequency compared to that reported by the existing literature. Among gamblers, 20.9% (n = 53) reported both past and current problem gambling (they have been defined as “chronic gamblers”), whereas 2.8% (n = 7) did not report to use gambling platforms in the past but only in the last week (defined as “new gamblers”). Data analysis showed a statistically significant difference between gamblers and people who do not gamble in age but not in education, and higher level of perceived stress, distress, and hostility in both chronic and new gamblers compared to those who did not report gambling behavior. A consistent proportion of business owners and unemployed individuals reported problem gambling during the lockdown period.

Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are complex and heterogeneous disorders that affect the growth and development of the brain and are often associated with impairments in cognitive and motor functions, communication, and adaptive behavior