Is adhd inherited

Is ADHD Genetic or Is It Hereditary?

What Is ADHD From? Is It Hereditary?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD or ADD) is a brain disorder with a number of likely causes — though the medical community still can’t pinpoint exactly which one explains the symptoms of ADHD. Researchers suspect that a gene involved in the creation of dopamine, a chemical that controls the brain’s ability to maintain regular and consistent attention may be traced back to ADHD. But conclusive studies are far outnumbered by ADHD myths and misperceptions today.

ADHD is not caused by bad parenting, too much sugar, or too many video games. It is a brain-based, biological disorder. Brain imaging studies and other research show many differences in the brains of individuals with ADHD. Other studies reveal that a child with ADHD is four times as likely to have had a relative also diagnosed with the condition.¹

Is ADHD Genetic?

Available evidence suggests that ADHD is genetic—passed down from parent to child. ADHD seems to run in at least some families. At least one-third of all fathers who had ADHD in their youth have children with the condition. What’s more, the majority of identical twins share the ADHD trait.

Researchers in the U.S. and Europe are working now to determine which genes, specifically, make an individual susceptible to ADHD. Scientists are investigating many different genes that may play a role in developing ADHD, especially genes linked to the neurotransmitter dopamine. They believe it likely involves at least two genes, since ADHD is such a complex disorder.²

[Get This Free Download: Unraveling the Mysteries of Your ADHD Brain]

There’s still a lot of work to do on the genetic aspect of ADHD. The discovery of genes that contribute to ADHD could make diagnosing the condition easier. It might also make it possible to find better treatments for people with varying symptoms of ADHD.

What Parts of the Brain Are Affected by ADHD?

ADHD brains exhibit structural and functional differences.

The image above shows differences between an adult with ADHD (right) and a non-ADHD brain. (The purple halo surrounding the brain image is an image artifact and not part of the brain.)

Scans and other neuro-imaging research have shown that the brains of children with ADHD mature more slowly than do those of children without the disorder. In addition, recent studies with fMRI imaging show variations in areas of the brain that control many ADHD symptoms. In children with ADHD, several brain regions and structures (pre-frontal cortex, striatum, basal ganglia, and cerebellum) tend to be smaller by roughly 5%.³ While this average difference is observed consistently, it is too small to be useful in making the diagnosis of ADHD in a particular individual.

[Read This Next: One Family’s History With ADHD]

These findings may one day lead to using brain imaging to diagnose ADHD, however this remains a rare and somewhat controversial practice today.

How Does ADHD Impact the Brain?

ADHD brains also exhibit chemical differences.

ADHD was the first disorder scientists found to result from the deficiency of a specific neurotransmitter — in this case, dopamine — and the first disorder found to respond to medications designed to correct this underlying deficiency. Children and adults with ADHD seem to have low levels of dopamine.

ADHD appears to impair neurotransmitter activity in four functional regions of the brain:

Frontal cortex. This region orchestrates our high-level functioning: maintaining attention, organization, and executive function. A deficiency of dopamine within this brain region might cause inattention, problems with organization, and/or impaired executive functioning.
Limbic system. This region, located deeper in the brain, regulates our emotions. A dopamine deficiency in this region might result in restlessness, inattention, or emotional volatility.
Basal ganglia. These neural circuits regulate communication within the brain. Information from all regions of the brain enters the basal ganglia, and is then relayed to the correct sites in the brain. A dopamine deficiency in the basal ganglia can cause information to “short-circuit,” resulting in inattention or impulsivity.
Reticular activating system. This is the major relay system among the many pathways that enter and leave the brain. A dopamine deficiency in the RAS can cause inattention, impulsivity, or hyperactivity.

These four regions interact with one another, so a deficiency in one region may cause a problem in one or more of the others. ADHD results from problems in one or more of these regions.

Is ADHD Caused by Toxins and Pollution?

Scientific research⁴ suggests that exposure to chemicals — everyday toxins found in foods, carpeting and flooring, cleaning and lawn products, and personal-care products, like toothpastes — may contribute at least somewhat to disorders such as ADHD, autism, and learning disabilities. Infants and children are especially vulnerable to chemical exposure because their biological systems are still developing. During fetal development, exposure to even minuscule amounts of toxins at critical junctures can have a lifelong impact on the child’s brain and physical health. Brain development may be impacted by these toxins. These findings come from research that is not widely respected by all members of the medical community.

In 2010, the Learning and Developmental Disabilities Initiative (LDDI) released the first-ever report identifying chemical pollution in people from the learning and developmental disability community, called “Mind, Disrupted: How Chemicals May Affect How We Think and Who We Are.”⁵ It concluded that you don’t have to live next to a waste site to be exposed to brain-damaging chemicals. Examples of household chemicals include:

Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) are used to prevent food and other substances from sticking to carpets, drapes, and cooking pans. Teflon and Scotchgard are examples.
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), used as fire retardants, are found in clothing and furniture, as well as bedding.
Triclosan is an antibacterial agent found in soaps, toothpastes, and many other personal-care products.
Bisphenol A (BPA) is an epoxy resin used to line food cans and other containers. It is also used to make plastic containers, like infant bottles, and certain paper products.
Phthalates make rubber-based materials soft and pliable. They are found in vinyl, plastic bottles, toys, shower curtains, and raincoats. They are also used to make personal-care products, air fresheners, and shampoos.

Every participant in the Learning and Developmental Disabilities Initiative tested positive for at least 26 of the 89 chemicals studied.

A 2015 study,⁶ completed by the University of Calgary, linked the chemicals used in making plastic (BPA and BPS) to hyperactivity in zebrafish, which are often used to study embryonic brain development because they share 80 percent of the genes found in humans, and have similar developmental processes. They called the results of their study, “a smoking gun” that linked negative changes in brain development to BPA and BPS exposure.

Lead exposure may also cause ADHD symptoms, according to a study published in Psychological Science in 2015.⁷ The study’s researchers emphasized that lead exposure is not the only cause of ADHD symptoms; rather, it’s one environmental factor that may lead to a formal ADHD diagnosis. Similarly, lead exposure doesn’t guarantee an ADHD diagnosis, but it may provide doctors with further clues about the root of a child’s symptoms.

[With Evidence That ADHD Is Genetic Mounting, Should Testing Become a Family Affair?]

Is ADHD Impacted by Nutritional Factors?

At one time, doctors believed that refined sugar and food additives made children hyperactive and inattentive. As a result, parents were encouraged to stop serving children foods containing artificial flavorings, preservatives, and sugars.

However, after studying the data, researchers from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the federal agency responsible for biomedical research, held a major scientific conference to discuss the issue in 1982. These scientists concluded that removing sugar and food additives only seemed to help about 5 percent of children with ADHD, mostly either young children or children with food allergies.

Despite a lack of conclusive research, many families still swear by the 40-year-old Feingold Program, a nutrition plan that claims to reduce symptoms of ADHD in children by eliminating their consumption of food additives and coloring, artificial sweeteners, and certain preservatives.

How Does Culture Impact ADHD Symptoms and Diagnoses?

A newer, more controversial theory contends that ADHD is a byproduct of our fast-paced, stressed-out, consumer-driven lifestyle. Michael Ruff, M.D., a clinical associate professor of pediatrics at Indiana University, believes that this cultural influence explains parts about ADHD that genetics can’t.

In an article in Clinical Pediatrics,⁸ Dr. Ruff called ADHD an ‘epidemic of modernity.’ “I’m talking about the cultural environment that prevails today — the modern way of life and its impact on the developing brain,” says Ruff. “Today’s children are immersed in a world of instant messaging and rapid-fire video games and TV shows. When kids get accustomed to such a rapid tempo, it’s hard for them to adjust to the comparatively slow pace of the classroom. They transfer the sense of urgency they’ve seen at home to their academic endeavors.”

Dr. Ruff suggests we ask, “Have we failed to acknowledge the extent to which environmental factors influence these processes?”

There’s no disputing that ADHD is a complex disorder and likely has many different causes and factors — all currently under investigation. Still, while environmental and cultural factors can alter behavior and child development, research confirms that ADHD is primarily a biologically-based disorder.

[Read This Next: I Wonder Where My Son Gets That From?]

Larry Silver, M.D., is a member of the ADDitude ADHD Medical Review Panel.

View Article Sources

¹John M. Grohol. Causes of Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). PsychCentral (Feb 2017). https://psychcentral.com/adhd/causes-of-adult-attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/
²ADHD Genetic Research Study. National Human Genome Research Institute (Mar. 2014). https://www.genome.gov/Current-NHGRI-Clinical-Studies/ADHD-Genetic-Research-Study-at-NIH
³Singh, Ajay et al. “Overview of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Young Children.” Health psychology research (Apr. 2015). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4768532/
⁴Philip J. Landrigan, Jordan Slutsky. Are Learning Disabilities Linked to Environmental Toxins? Learning Disabilities Worldwide. https://www.ldworldwide.org/environmental-toxins
⁵Abulafia, Laura et al. Mind, Disrupted: How Chemicals May Change How We Think And Who We Are. A Biomonitoring Project With Leaders of the Learning and Developmental Disabilities Community. http://www.minddisrupted.org/documents/Mind%20Disrupted%20report.pdf
⁶Bill Graveland. Hyperactivity in fish linked to bisphenols used to make plastic. The Globe and Mail (May 2018). https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/health/hyperactivity-in-fish-linked-to-bisphenols-used-to-make-plastic/article22428491/
⁷Nigg, J. T., Elmore, A. L., Natarajan, N., Friderici, K. H., & Nikolas, M. A. Variation in an Iron Metabolism Gene Moderates the Association Between Blood Lead Levels and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children. Psychological Science (2016). https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0956797615618365#articleCitationDownloadContainer
⁸Ruff, M. E. Attention Deficit Disorder and Stimulant Use: An Epidemic of Modernity. Clinical Pediatrics (Sep. 2005). https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/000992280504400701#articleCitationDownloadContainer

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Is ADHD Hereditary? - CHADD

ADHD Weekly 2017-03-23

Join the discussion.

Are you worried that if you have ADHD, you may pass it on to your children? Or, maybe your child has been diagnosed with ADHD and you wonder if you may have it as well? According to recent research, that may be the case.

While the exact causes of ADHD have not been identified, genetic studies show there is a strong hereditary component, with an up to a 91 percent likelihood of passing the disorder to your children. So what, if anything, can you do?

Genetics and ADHD … It’s complicated.

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder, meaning it is brain-based. Differences in genes that structure the brain can be passed along to children. In the Time magazine article Growing Up with ADHD, Russell Barkley, PhD, a clinical professor of psychiatry and pediatrics at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, discusses the heritability of ADHD with Denise Foley.

“There are anywhere from 25 to 45 genes that are considered high-candidate genes for ADHD,” Dr. Barkley says. “But there are several we’re reliably sure of, and some of those are the genes related to dopamine regulation in the brain.”

Executive functions, behaviors and emotions are governed by neurotransmissions in the brain. Dopamine is a key neurotransmitter, one of the chemicals our brains use to pass information between nerve cells and regulate body functions. Differences in certain genetically defined receptors may increase your susceptibility to ADHD, particularly as it relates to dopamine receptors in the brain. Low levels of dopamine are associated with inattention, mood instability, and reward and motivation deficits, common symptoms of ADHD.

Several recent studies point to differences in genes that may preclude the normal creation of dopamine receptors in brains affected by ADHD, resulting in the inability to absorb dopamine or the inability to metabolize it appropriately. Other studies show brains affected by ADHD may have changes in dopamine transporter proteins, negatively affecting levels of available dopamine.

What to do when there’s a family history of ADHD

At the moment, there is no medical test to determine whether you or your children are genetically prone toward ADHD. Diagnosis is made by a pediatrician, psychologist, psychiatrist, or other specialist following the criteria in the DSM-5. You can read more about the evaluation process at Diagnosing ADHD.

Know your strengths. Take the time to focus on yourself in order to support your children and family. Knowing your strengths and fostering them is as important as understanding your challenges. Create structure in your family life to lessen distractions and optimize strengths. Some people affected by ADHD have found ways to turn their symptoms to their advantage. Focus on the areas of your life where you have talents and find ways to “outsource” or delegate tasks that are difficult for you.

Finding the right treatment for you or your child

ADHD is a complex disorder that is most effectively treated using a variety of tools. Working with experts and utilizing trusted resources will help you tailor a plan that best fits your needs and those of your affected children.

Recent studies have also shown that exercise can increase dopamine levels, positively impact brain function and structure, and can lead to a reduction of ADHD symptoms for a short time. Aerobic exercise, a minimum of 30 minutes a day, can provide health benefits in addition to helping to reduce ADHD symptoms. Exercise can also support better sleep.

Good sleep hygiene not only supports brain function, but having a consistent routine that supports quality sleep is an important part of any family routine. Difficulty with sleep, and sleep disruption, is common in children affected by ADHD due to an overlap between the centers of the brain that regulate sleep and those that regulate attention. Creating a routine designed to help soothe and quiet the mind before bed will help promote better sleep.

Optimal treatment for ADHD includes a combination of:

medication management
behavioral therapy and training for both patient and parents
education including academic accommodations
lifestyle support

Although there is no cure for ADHD, there are options for helping you manage the disorder. Understanding your or your child’s symptoms is vital to creating an effective treatment plan. Working with your and/or your child’s specialist and other professionals will be important when making treatment decisions.

Does ADHD seem to run in your family? What have you done to address how the disorder affects family life?

Whether the disease is inherited. Is a hyperactive child forever? Alternative view of problem

Is the disease inherited

We already know that ADHD is an understandable brain disorder in which genetic factors play a large role. In this regard, there is now a lot of talk about the hereditary factor of this disease. Very often, one of the parents in such families either has ADHD syndrome, or he had difficulties in learning at school, and behavioral patterns. Based on our experience, we can assume that the predisposition to this disease is inherited, and with certain social, emotional, psychological factors, its development is quite possible. There have been several interesting studies that have examined twins and adopted children. As a result, it turned out that approximately half of all parents with ADHD have one child with this disease, and approximately 35% of all affected children have a close relative with ADHD. This disease is transmitted primarily through the male line. Research results show that hyperactive children are most often descendants of alcoholic fathers. Scientists have noted that when hyperactivity is combined with aggressiveness, the threat of developing alcoholism sharply increases. It has also been shown that the male offspring of alcoholic fathers have impaired behavioral control. Reduced ability to concentrate may also be associated with sensitivity to alcohol dependence. nine0003

There are many other theories and assumptions, but they will not help much in your daily life with a sick child. So, some scientists believe that it is quite possible that the cause may be the intoxication of a pregnant woman with lead, dioxins.

Naturally, the environment in which the child lives can strengthen or weaken this predisposition. Difficult family relationships, often changing people, especially when the child is imbued with confidence in them, a disordered day, insufficient child care up to neglect of their parental responsibilities can affect the development of the baby, which is expressed in his unusual behavior. To this day, there is constant discussion about the relationship of ADHD with allergies and intolerances to certain foods. It is known that some young patients improve when a certain diet is followed. This option must be discussed with your doctor. nine0003

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No. 95. Tale "Five by inheritance" Masha went to 1st grade for several weeks. The girl decided that at school everything would be decided correctly and would not make mistakes. At home, they were waiting for her only with fives. She must now continue the dynasty of excellent students. For excellent academic performance

ADHD - a new disease?

ADHD - a new disease? The history of this problem goes back, in fact, to the beginning of the twentieth century. As early as 1902, an English medical journal published an article by pediatrician George Still in which he reported children with rather low concentrations of

Is ADHD hereditary?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is usually inherited and has a strong genetic link. Although researchers acknowledge that certain genetic variants increase the risk of developing ADHD, doctors do not fully understand whether certain genes require the inclusion of environmental triggers. In addition, due to the complexity of the condition, scientists have not yet discovered a causal relationship with a specific gene or set of genes. This means that a person's environment also has a significant impact on the likelihood of developing ADHD. nine0003

What is ADHD?

With ADHD, it is difficult for a person to pay attention to tasks that he does not find stimulating. This often results in him making careless mistakes and having difficulty coping with situations that require constant mental effort. ADHD can present in a variety of ways, but children and adults typically have the following symptoms.

ADHD symptoms in a child

daydreaming
often forgetting things
fidgeting often
Unnecessary risks
Easy succumbing to the temptation
In anticipation of its turn

Symptoms of ADHG in an adult

Merchants of negligence
Infocation in the place of
frequent loss of things
constant distractions
interrupting people

Girls and boys may have differences in the expression of symptoms.

Genetic causes of ADHD

If parents or siblings have ADHD, the person is at a higher risk of developing symptoms. However, some people never develop ADHD despite a family history of the condition. Twin studies never demonstrate 100% heritability. A person's environment also affects the likelihood of developing ADHD.

Structure and function of the brain in ADHD

Researchers have observed differences in the brain structure of people with and without ADHD. Children with ADHD usually have a small frontal lobe. Since the frontal lobe is responsible for problem solving, attention, and decision making, this may explain why children have trouble concentrating and impulsive actions. In addition, it may take longer for some children to develop the frontal lobe, which may explain why some people experience fewer symptoms of ADHD as they age. Other functions of the frontal lobe include:

speech
judgment
planning
time perception
emotion regulation

Neural networks, which are groups of connected nerve cells, also behave differently in people with ADHD, especially those associated with reward and reward planning. Other neural networks that differ in people with ADHD are associated with:

attention
movement
switching attention between tasks

There are two neurotransmitters that are lower in people with ADHD: dopamine and norepinephrine. Drugs used in the treatment of ADHD are aimed at stimulating the brain and increasing the levels of these neurotransmitters. Because ADHD is a complex condition, researchers have yet to fully understand why exactly these differences in brain structure cause it.

Risk factors for ADHD

While a family history of ADHD may increase the risk of developing the condition, other risk factors may play a significant role. Other risk factors for ADHD include:

brain injury
exposure to lead at a young age or in utero
exposure to alcohol and tobacco in utero
premature birth
low birth weight

sugar or long-term TV viewing causes ADHD. However, studies do not support these beliefs.

Symptoms of ADHD

There are three types of ADHD and each has different symptoms. nine0003

Mostly inattentive

If a person has this type of ADHD, it will be more difficult for him:

complete tasks
to pay close attention to details
, as other people say
Block distracting factors
maintain the routine

Mostly gep /impulsive

With this type, it is more difficult for a person to do the following:

to sit still
speak softly
resist temptation
listen and do not interrupt
control impulsivity

Combined type

This type shows a combination of two symptoms.

Diagnosis of ADHD

During the consultation, the doctor will ask about the person's symptoms and family history to see if there are any close relatives with ADHD.

If a child is being diagnosed, the doctor should talk to the child's teachers and parents to get an idea of the child's behavior in various settings. nine0003

To diagnose a particular manifestation of ADHD, the doctor will note how many symptoms fall into the inattention category and the hyperactivity and impulsivity category. If a person has the same number of symptoms in each category, they may be diagnosed with ADHD combined.

Treatment for ADHD

Treatment for ADHD usually involves a combination of psychotherapy and medication.

Medications

The doctor usually prescribes stimulants to increase concentration and attention. However, in some cases, people may have unwanted side effects, so doctors may recommend non-stimulant drugs instead. This type will take longer but has the same effect of improving concentration and focus. nine0003

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is an effective treatment that can help a person with ADHD and their family members to better understand their condition.

Learn more