Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, commonly known as ADHD, is a condition that many children have. Usually, it’s not noticed until the child is seven years old or more.
By that time, they may already be facing problems in school and with friends. A recent study suggests that checking a child’s genes early on might help in finding out if they have ADHD sooner.
Dr. Anne Arnett and Dr. Ryan Doan from Boston Children’s Hospital worked together to see if it’s possible to use genes to diagnose ADHD.
Before this, people thought ADHD was caused by many different genes, making it hard to identify using genetic tests. But, to their surprise, they found that changes in just one gene could be the reason for ADHD in many kids.
Dr. Arnett explains that knowing about ADHD early can help the child and their family. It can prevent problems in school, making friends, and reduce stress at home.
The Study’s Findings
Dr. Arnett and Dr. Doan looked at the whole genetic makeup of 77 kids aged 6 to 18, all diagnosed with ADHD. This study was part of the Children’s Rare Disease Cohorts Initiative.
They were careful to focus only on ADHD, so they didn’t include children with autism, severe learning difficulties, or known genetic conditions. They also looked at the genes of the kids’ brothers, sisters, and parents, some of whom had ADHD and some who didn’t.
Dr. Doan shares that they found genetic reasons for ADHD in these children quite quickly. In fact, in more than half of the families (52%), they found gene changes likely causing ADHD.
Some of these changes were inherited from parents, and some were new changes not seen in the parents’ genes.
Interestingly, the genes linked to ADHD are also involved in other brain development conditions. Dr. Arnett notes that there’s a lot of overlap.
In ADHD, the changes in genes are less severe. If the changes were more severe, it might lead to autism or learning difficulties.
Some of the gene changes they found are involved in a process called methylation, which is about how genes are modified.
More Discoveries and Future Possibilities
Dr. Arnett and Dr. Doan think the variety in genetic causes they found could explain why each child with ADHD is different.
The similarity in genes with other conditions might also explain why it’s sometimes hard to tell ADHD apart from conditions like autism.
Dr. Arnett points out that right now, families can’t get genetic testing for ADHD. But in the future, this kind of testing could help predict if ADHD will last into adulthood or if the child will face learning challenges.
It could also help in identifying the child’s strengths, such as creativity or sports skills.
Dr. Arnett also mentions that girls with ADHD often have a stronger family history of the condition and more genetic factors. She believes there might be other things that protect girls with a mild genetic risk for ADHD.
In short, this study opens new doors in understanding ADHD and offers hope for better ways to diagnose and support children with this condition.
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The research findings can be found in JAMA Pediatrics.
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