Scientists have made a major advance in understanding the genetic basis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). In a study of thousands of children, researchers have found a group of genes in which certain variants are linked to the disease. These include a gene involved in signaling in the brain, a pathway that could be… [Continue Reading]
Genetic Variants Linked to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
December 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment
ADHD Genetic Study Uncovers Unexpected Cause of Blood Disorder
July 26, 2011 By Leave a Comment
In an unexpected discovery, a search for gene mutations linked to ADHD has revealed the cause of an unrelated blood disorder. The study, which sequenced all of the genes from a family that included a number of individuals with severe ADHD, discovered that one family member with a rare form of anemia had a mutation… [Continue Reading]
Poor Sleep has Big Impact on Kids with ADHD
March 2, 2011 By 1 Comment
New research suggests that loss of sleep can have a harmful effect on kids with ADHD. The study compared children diagnosed with ADHD and controls, and found that kids with the condition had even more trouble concentrating on tasks after losing only 1 hour of sleep per night for a week. A new study in… [Continue Reading]
Increasing Autism Rates Likely Due to Different Diagnostic Methods
March 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment
The media often reports the large increase in diagnoses of autism over the last few decades, but a recent study suggests that the increase is likely due to differences in the definition of the condition. Doctors have also enhanced their methods of detecting the disease, which may also contribute to a higher incidence. Funded by… [Continue Reading]
Association Between Childhood ADHD and Adolescent Depression
October 5, 2010 By Leave a Comment
According to a study, young children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) appear to be at greater risk for adolescent depression and/or suicide attempts five to 13 years after diagnosis. Sixteen to 37 percent of clinically-diagnosed adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder also suffer from major depressive disorder and/or dysthymia (a mild form of depression). “When major depressive disorder… [Continue Reading]
Maternal Serotonin Deficiency May Increase ADHD Risk of Offspring
October 5, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Children whose mothers are genetically predisposed to have impaired production of serotonin appear more likely to develop attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) later in life. “Serotonin is a hormone and transmitter that performs a broad range of physiological functions in the human body,” the authors write as background information in the article. “In addition to its… [Continue Reading]
Study Provides Evidence That ADHD is a Genetic Disorder
September 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Research provides the first direct evidence that attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a genetic condition. Scientists found that children with ADHD were more likely to have small segments of their DNA duplicated or missing than other children. The study also found significant overlap between these segments, known as copy number variants (CNVs), and genetic variants implicated… [Continue Reading]
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for ADHD in Adults Appears to be Beneficial
August 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment
According to a study, adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who received medication and individual sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) showed greater improvement in symptoms through 12 months compared to patients who did not receive CBT. “Approximately 4.4 percent of adults in the United States have ADHD, which is a disorder characterized by impairing levels… [Continue Reading]
Prenatal Pesticide Can Increase Susceptibility to ADHD
August 19, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Exposure to organophosphate (OP) pesticides before birth can increase susceptibility to attention disorders such as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to new research. The new study is part of a growing body of research indicating that exposure to OP pesticides can adversely affect brain development. OP pesticides target the nervous systems of insects by affecting… [Continue Reading]
Discrepancies in ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment Rates Based on Birth Dates
August 17, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Rising rates of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and large differences in diagnosis rates have led to fears that the condition is often being misdiagnosed. A new study demonstrates that these concerns are justified. The researchers found large discrepancies in diagnosis and treatment rates based on small differences in children’s dates of birth. “The question… [Continue Reading]