ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a common neurodevelopmental disorder. It affects roughly eleven percent of young children. The question begs, is ADHD genetic, or is it novel in families? ADHD seems to be one of the most inherited neurological disorders, usually if it present in one family member, multiple others have it. However, studies cannot strongly confirm the genetic or environmental contributions to one having ADHD. Research has tried to identify genes responsible for the disorder through linkage studies. Studies have revealed that certain regions on chromosome 16 may be connected to ADHD, but the results are still inconclusive.
While, science knows a lot about ADHD behavior, treatment options, brain structure as well as brain function, etc. Genetically speaking there is not a wealth of answers, there are many studies and research but nothing concrete. For example, through brain imaging, it is known that the brain structure of a person with ADHD is different from that of a neurotypical human. The hope for more genetic research and answers is that it will provide an avenue for more effective medical treatment.
Links:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S109037981200013X?casa_token=HSOPfl22qo4AAAAA:icwUWT2cbYtxAxH9etwGY-zvda2Sk5HTSMLSHiyfhzAHRkozuoWvEjk_Svyigv1TlznTvGEuejQ
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/causes/#:~:text=ADHD%20tends%20to%20run%20in,likely%20to%20have%20ADHD%20themselves.
This is a really interesting article, especially since so many people are effected by ADHD and ADD in our world. Many people are on medication for it, and it is a big problem, especially in the United States. I think it is interesting to know whether or not this disorder is a result of genetics. I definitely think this disorder could be genetically linked, especially since research has shown that chromosome 16 may be involved in the disorder. After doing some quick research of my own, I also read that an area on chromosome 16 had a large number of CNVs, which are copy number variations, in people with ADHD. I'll be curious to see if any more information comes out on the genetics behind ADHD.
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