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Adoptee study reveals genetic roots of ADHD
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a strong risk factor
for antisocial behavior and life problems
(see related article, Crime Times, 2001, Vol. 7, No. 1, Page 1).
A new study adds
to evidence that genes play a prominent role in ADHD, as well as in
other mental problems often associated with the disorder.
Susan Sprich et al. compared the rates of ADHD and other psychiatric
problems in three groups:
- The adoptive first-degree relatives of children with ADHD
- The biological first-degree relatives of children with ADHD
- The first-degree biological relatives of control subjects without
ADHD.
The researchers report that only six percent of the adoptive parents of
ADHD children, and only three percent of the parents in the control
group, exhibited symptoms of the disorder. In contrast, 18 percent of the
biological parents of ADHD children exhibited ADHD symptoms.
"Notably," the researchers say, "we found high rates of mood and
anxiety disorders among the biological but not the adoptive parents of
ADHD children. This finding is consistent with results of prior family
studies of ADHD [and] provides further support for the idea that these
other psychiatric disorders in ADHD families are variable manifestations
of the genes that influence ADHD."
The researchers say their findings are particularly interesting in light
of the evidence that ADHD occurs in high rates in adopted children.
"Although the reasons for this remain unknown," they say, "it is likely
that the biological parents of the adoptees displayed many of the same
impulsive characteristics as their offspring, which may have led to
unplanned pregnancies."
The researchers say their findings should influence clinicians to
provide greater support to adoptive parents of ADHD children, by
emphasizing that the children's behavior problems are likely to be
genetic rather than environmental.
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"Adoptive and biological families of children and adolescents with
ADHD," Susan Sprich, Joseph Biederman, Margaret Harding Crawford,
Elizabeth Mundy, and Stephen V. Faraone, Journal of the American
Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Vol. 39, No.
11, November 2000, pp. 1432-1437. Address: Susan Sprich, Cognitive-
Behavioral Therapy Program, WACC 812, MGH, 15 Parkman Street,
Boston, MA 02114.
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