Specific risk factors for self-harm and suicide in children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) may differ from those in the general population within this age range. In the present review paper, we conducted a narrative analysis of the literature, aiming to establish a connection between suicide and affective disorders in children and adolescents with NDD. Emotion dysregulation (ED) as an individual factor and adverse childhood experiences (ACE) as environmental factors are discussed as risk factors for suicidality in all individuals with NDD. We propose a theoretical model in which ED and ACE can directly lead to self-harm or suicide, directly or indirectly by interacting with depressive spectrum disorders. Additionally, we suggest that specific risk factors are more frequently associated with each of the neurodevelopmental disorders listed in the DSM-V. This review underlines the key points useful to improve the knowledge of the trajectory leading to suicide risk in NDDs with the purpose to facilitate the early identification of the suicide risk.

Aggressive behaviors and disruptive/conduct disorders are some of the commonest reasons for referral to youth mental health services; nevertheless, the efficacy of therapeutic interventions in real-world clinical practice remains unclear. In order to define more appropriate targets for innovative pharmacological therapies for disruptive/conduct disorders, the European Commission within the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) funded the MATRICS project (Multidisciplinary Approaches to Translational Research in Conduct Syndromes) to identify neural, genetic, and molecular factors underpinning the pathogenesis of aggression/antisocial behavior in preclinical models and clinical samples. Within the program, a multicentre case-control study, followed by a single-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over, randomized acute single-dose medication challenge, was conducted at two Italian sites. Aggressive children and adolescents with conduct disorder (CD) or oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) were compared to the same age (10–17 y) typically developing controls (TDC) on a neuropsychological tasks battery that included both “cold” (e.g., inhibitory control, decision making) and “hot” executive functions (e.g., moral judgment, emotion processing, risk assessment). Selected autonomic measures (heart rate variability, skin conductance, salivary cortisol) were recorded before/during/after neuropsychological testing sessions. The acute response to different drugs (methylphenidate/atomoxetine, risperidone/aripiprazole, or placebo) was also examined in the ODD/CD cohort in order to identify potential neuropsychological/physiological mechanisms underlying aggression. The paper describes the protocol of the clinical MATRICS WP6-1 study, its rationale, the specific outcome measures, and their implications for a precision medicine approach.

Several studies suggest that children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often present deficits in executive functions (EFs). The research on cold EF shows a high heterogeneity across different cohorts of patients as well as different study designs, while studies investigating hot EF and their relationship with different ASD phenotypes are still limited and related only to specific domains, although this concept could contribute to clarify the phenotypical variability by explaining the difficulties encountered by individuals with ASD in daily life, where stimuli are often emotionally charged. With the aim to identify specific neuropsychological profiles in children and adolescents with ASD without intellectual disability, we designed a study protocol comparing a clinical sample of individuals with ASD to aged-matched (10–17 years) typically developing controls (TDC) on a neuropsychological test battery investigating both “cold” and “hot” EF with the purpose of further investigating their relationships with ASD symptoms. Autonomic measures including heart rate, heart rate variability, skin conductance, and salivary cortisol were also recorded before/during/after the neuropsychological testing session. This paper describes the case–control study protocol named “Caratterizzazione NEuropsicologica del disturbo dello Spettro Autistico, senza Disabilità Intellettiva, CNeSA study,” its rationale, the specific outcome measures, and their implications for the clinical management of individuals with ASD and a precision medicine approach.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and Conduct Disorder (CD) share many symptomatic dimensions. Emotional dysregulation (ED) and Callous-Unemotional (CU) traits have been described as transdiagnostic symptoms as well as executive dysfunctions. However, few previous studies compared these disorders directly at a clinical and a neuropsychological level. 138 children and adolescents aged 10-17 years (n = 63 ODD/CD; n = 35 ASD and n = 40 TDC), with an intelligence quotient ≥80 were included. The three groups were compared on the emotional and behavioural characteristics by the CBCL 6-18 questionnaire (with particular attention to the emotional dysregulation profile), on the CU traits assessed by the ICU questionnaire (parent version), and the executive functioning assessed by the BRIEF parent form. Compared to controls, ODD/CDs and ASDs, showed a higher proportion of internalizing and externalizing symptoms, greater emotional dysregulation, higher presence of callous-unemotional traits and executive dysfunction. While participants with ODD/CD significantly differed from those with ASD with higher deficits in impulse inhibition as well as greater planning and organization problems, the two populations did not differ in working memory or the ability to initiate or shift as measured by the BRIEF. ED was confirmed as a transdiagnostic symptom, though more highly represented in ODD/CD compared to ASD. CU traits were also seen as cross-disorder problems, confirming deficits in empathy across both disorder groups, albeit with somewhat different profiles: ODD/CDs showed greater callousness and uncaring than ASDs, while they did not statistically differ from them in the unemotionality. Our study provides a better understanding of the clinical and neuropsychological character of ODD/CD and ASD populations, showing that they present as overlapping entities but with some specific features.

Digital technologies are becoming an important part of health care, including for individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Digital health innovations present valuable opportunities to provide flexible and tailored support for their diverse needs, along with significant challenges. Attentional, organizational, and motivational characteristics associated with ADHD may affect how individuals engage with digital tools. Potential risks include additional access barriers, the exclusion of underserved groups, and diminished quality of care. To help reduce these risks, the development, evaluation, and implementation of digital tools must be person-centered and guided by a comprehensive understanding of the diverse needs of all stakeholders. To advance research in this area, a multidisciplinary panel of ADHD specialists, technology experts, and individuals with lived experience of ADHD was formed. The panel worked together to agree on key priorities and considerations for developing, evaluating, and implementing digital technologies for ADHD. The recommendations are designed to be shared with the wider research community and to guide innovations in ADHD digital health to improve care. A modified Delphi approach was used to develop consensus. Key statements were drafted, building on discussions held during the European Network for ADHD (EUNETHYDIS) Special Interest Group meeting in 2024. An expert panel that included additional key stakeholders was convened. Draft statements were shared with panel members via a 2-round Delphi survey and discussion meetings, with final statements coproduced by the panel. Insights from multiple perspectives were incorporated, and consensus agreement was sought. Refined statements were shared with EUNETHYDIS members for ratification. Panel members were invited to contribute as coauthors. An expert panel of 28 members (21 EUNETHYDIS Special Interest Group members, 7 invited experts) coproduced 30 consensus statements on ADHD and digital health. Agreement ranged from 78.6% (22/28) to 100% (28/28) for the first round (19 statements) and from 92.6% (25/27) to 100% (27/27) for the second round (30 statements). Final statements covered 4 topic areas: Opportunities and Aspirations, Development and Evaluation, Implementation, and Risks and Unintended Consequences. These were ratified in September 2025 by the EUNETHYDIS. This consensus process provides the first comprehensive set of key considerations for digital health care for people with ADHD and demonstrates the feasibility of achieving expert agreement on complex, rapidly evolving topics, such as digital health. Future work should focus on translating these considerations into more specific and practical implementation frameworks, identifying priorities, and connecting them to real-life stories and empirical evidence.