Abstract. To reconcile the strong secular persistence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) despite its impairing effects, ADHD traits have been postulated to offer an evolutionary advantage.
Studies have suggested that when it comes to our ancient ancestors, having a short attention span and the tendency to never stop moving would have translated to higher levels of resources collected, which means greater success in the 'reproducing and passing on your genes' game.
People living with ADHD may have a variety of skills and abilities beyond those of their neurotypical counterparts. These may include hyperfocus, resilience, creativity, conversational skills, spontaneity, and abundant energy.
Modern research has shown that a number of genetic variants are most likely responsible for the neurodevelopmental disorder we call ADHD. These ADHD genetic variants is surprisingly persistent.
The analysis of the genetic variation of Altai Neanderthal suggests that this sample carries more ADHD risk alleles than current and ancient AMH samples. Moreover, we observed that introgressed Neanderthal alleles influence ADHD susceptibility in current populations.
Anita Thayer, M.D. analyzed the DNA from 366 children with ADHD. A comparison with DNA from unaffected patients showed an abnormality in the sequences. Thayer's study shows that the ADHD group of children had larger and more frequent variations. Fathers with ADHD will pass this code discrepancy to offspring.
Biological: ADHD is associated with the way certain neurotransmitters (chemicals in the brain that help control behavior) work, especially dopamine and norepinephrine, and this difference causes changes in two different attentional networks of the brain — the default network, associated with automatic attention and the ...
ADHD tends to run in families and, in most cases, it's thought the genes you inherit from your parents are a significant factor in developing the condition. Research shows that parents and siblings of someone with ADHD are more likely to have ADHD themselves.
Twin studies have demonstrated that ADHD in children and adolescents are predominantly under genetic influences (approximately 70–80%), with the remaining variance explained by child-specific environmental experiences (experiences not shared between siblings that make them different from each other) [16, 17].
Some families demonstrate transmission of ADHD in a pattern consistent with that of a Mendelian dominant trait.
Intuition. People with ADHD are often highly sensitive and intuitive with a keen ability to pick up on what others may be feeling. This can make them very empathetic, loving, and kind.
As you know, one trademark of ADHD is low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine — a chemical released by nerve cells into the brain. Due to this lack of dopamine, people with ADHD are "chemically wired" to seek more, says John Ratey, M.D., professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School in Boston.
ADHD more common in offspring of mothers with genetic serotonin deficiencies. Summary: Children whose mothers are genetically predisposed to have impaired production of serotonin appear more likely to develop attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder later in life, according to a new report.
What is the cause or basis of ADHD? It is an impulse disorder with genetic components that results from imbalances of neurotransmitters.
The exposure to stressful life events, and—more specifically—Childhood Trauma, has been shown to predict ADHD onset as well as persistence of the disorder into adulthood (Biederman et al. 1995; Friedrichs et al.
ADHD does not get worse with age if a person receives treatment for their symptoms after receiving a diagnosis. If a doctor diagnoses a person as an adult, their symptoms will begin to improve when they start their treatment plan, which could involve a combination of medication and therapy.
Boys (13%) are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than girls (6%). Black, non-Hispanic children and White, non-Hispanic children are more often diagnosed with ADHD (12% and 10%, respectively), than Hispanic children (8%) or Asian, non-Hispanic children (3%).
ADHD brains have low levels of a neurotransmitter called norepinephrine. Norepinephrine is linked arm-in-arm with dopamine. Dopamine is the thing that helps control the brain's reward and pleasure center. The ADHD brain has impaired activity in four functional regions of the brain.
ADHD has been a subject of great controversy and debate. A number of people who have been diagnosed with the syndrome—some of them psychologists and psychiatrists—have challenged the notion that personality traits such as inattentiveness, impulsivity, and distractibility deserve the label symptoms.
Stimulants are believed to work by increasing dopamine levels in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter associated with motivation, pleasure, attention, and movement. For many people with ADHD, stimulant medications boost concentration and focus while reducing hyperactive and impulsive behaviors.
The formal heritability of ADHD is about 80% and therefore higher than most other psychiatric diseases. However, recent studies estimate the proportion of heritability based on singlenucleotide variants (SNPs) at 22%.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), one of the most prevalent childhood disorders today, is generally more likely to be diagnosed and treated in boys than in girls.
Children were assessed with neuropsychological paradigms measuring IQ, motor, timing, and executive functions. Results: Paternal and maternal ADHD were equally positively related to ADHD in offspring.
Greatest heredity from mother
Absolutely most at risk were sons with parents who were both diagnosed with ADHD: - 40 percent of these boys are themselves diagnosed with the condition, says Solberg.
ADHD runs in families. Anywhere from one-third to one-half of parents with ADHD will have a child with the disorder. There are genetic characteristics that seem to be passed down. If a parent has ADHD, a child has more than a 50% chance of having it.