Clinicians have been aware of the problems of overactivity and inattention for over 200 years and many advances have been made in this time. However, ADHD remains a very common and challenging condition that does not always respond well to treatment. Some of the areas of research that might prove fruitful in terms of future management include pharmacogenetics, better definition of ADHD subtypes, ADHD across the age range from preschool children to the elderly, the role of health psychology, ADHD in the presence of other conditions such as autism, bulimia or personality disorder, intervention strategies using computers and a focus on emotional dysregulation. The aim of research into these and other areas will be to provide better management of people of all ages with ADHD in the future.