It now seems that a genetic component is the cause of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or at least the following tidbit suggests so. Scientists from the Cardiff University in the United Kingdom assert that a genetic factor is responsible for ADHD. The findings can be beneficial in understanding of the genetic basis of this condition.
The study examined Copy Number Variants (CNVs) of DNA gathered from 410 ADHD patients. The results were then compared to 1156 controls, or individuals who were not diagnosed with ADHD. The study findings were also validated with another population of 825 individuals with ADHD and around 35,000 controls. Genetic evidence claims that individuals with ADHD have elevated rate of large CNVs.
If this piece of information is to be believed then, ADHD is not a social construct alone. Investigators suggest that introduction of genetic testing for ADHD patients can be vital. A better understanding of the genetic basis may help provide earlier diagnosis and more effective treatments.
The study was published in the Lancet in September 2010.