SNP Shot: Genomic Insights

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a behavioral condition that usually appears during childhood. It is defined by difficulties with maintaining focus (inattention), excessive restlessness and movement (hyperactivity), and acting without thinking (impulsivity). While some individuals with ADHD primarily struggle with either inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity, the majority experience issues across all three areas.

The behaviors associated with ADHD are persistent and significant enough to disrupt daily life, affecting areas like school, work, and interpersonal relationships. Inattention can lead to easy distractibility, forgetfulness, avoidance of tasks requiring sustained concentration, difficulty with organization, and frequent misplacement of belongings.

Hyperactivity often manifests as constant movement. People exhibiting this trait may fidget or tap their feet when seated, get up from their seats inappropriately (like in a classroom setting), talk excessively, and interrupt others.

Impulsivity can lead to acting quickly without considering the repercussions. Individuals struggling with impulse control may find it hard to wait their turn, show deference to others, or think before they act.

Over two-thirds of individuals with ADHD also have other conditions, such as sleep problems (insomnia), mood or anxiety disorders, learning disabilities, or substance use disorders. They may also have autism spectrum disorder, characterized by challenges with communication and social interaction, or Tourette syndrome, a disorder involving repetitive, involuntary movements or sounds known as tics.

ADHD typically persists throughout a person's life, although symptoms lessen or disappear by adulthood in approximately one-third of cases.

Inheritance:

ADHD tends to be hereditary, although the specific way it's passed down is usually unclear. The risk of developing ADHD is significantly higher (about nine times) for close relatives (like siblings or children) of individuals with the condition compared to the general population. Genetic variations linked to ADHD generally increase susceptibility to the condition rather than directly causing it. When ADHD is a symptom of another genetic syndrome, it can be inherited according to that syndrome's inheritance pattern.