Is adhd genetic from mother or father

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder. It’s most commonly diagnosed in childhood, but adults can experience the symptoms of the disorder and be diagnosed as well. According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), an estimated 5 percent of children and 2.5 percent of adults in the United States have ADHD. The most common symptoms of ADHD include:

  • inability to focus
  • fidgeting or squirming
  • avoiding tasks or not being able to complete them
  • being easily distracted

Researchers have been unable to identify a single cause for ADHD. A combination of genes, environmental factors, and possibly diet seem to influence the likelihood of a person developing ADHD.

Some research suggests genes are the largest factors in determining who develops ADHD. After all, genes are the building blocks for our bodies. We inherit our genes from our parents. Like many disorders or conditions, ADHD may have a strong genetic component. For that reason, many scientists focus their research on the exact genes that carry the disorder.

Having a family member with ADHD makes you more likely to also have the disorder. Children who have ADHD typically have a parent, sibling, or other close relative with ADHD. In fact, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), at least one third of fathers who have or had ADHD will have children who will be diagnosed with ADHD.

Twins share lots of things: birthdays, secrets, parents, and grades. Unfortunately, they also share the risk of having ADHD. According to an Australian study, twins are more likely to have ADHD than singletons. Additionally, a child who has an identical twin with ADHD has a high chance of also developing the disorder.

Unlike potential environmental causes of ADHD, DNA can’t be changed. As research has narrowed in on what causes ADHD, scientists recognize the strong role genetics play. Therefore, much of the research into ADHD is devoted to understanding genes. In 2010, British researchers identified small pieces of DNA that are either duplicated or missing in the brains of children with ADHD. These affected genetic segments have also been linked to autism and schizophrenia.

Researchers with the National Institute of Mental Health (NAMI) identified an area of the brain that ADHD may affect. In particular, the scientists found that individuals with ADHD have thinner tissue in the areas of the brain associated with attention. Fortunately, the study also found that some children with the thinner brain tissue developed normal levels of tissue thickness as they got older. As the tissue became thicker, the symptoms of ADHD became less severe.

Besides DNA, other factors can influence who develops ADHD. These include the following:

  • Environmental exposure, such as exposure to lead, may increase a child’s risk for ADHD.
  • A small number of children who suffer a traumatic brain injury may develop ADHD.
  • This study found that mothers who smoke while pregnant increase their child’s risk for developing ADHD; women who drink alcohol and use drugs during pregnancy also put their child at risk for the disorder.
  • Babies born before their due date are more likely to have ADHD when they’re older, according to this study.

You may be worried about passing the genes for this disorder onto your child. Unfortunately, you can’t control whether your child will inherit the genes for ADHD. However, you can control how vigilant you are about your child’s potential symptoms. Be sure to alert your child’s pediatrician to your personal history of ADHD. The sooner you’re aware of potential signs of ADHD in your child, the sooner you and your child’s doctor can respond. You can begin treatment and therapy early, which may help your child learn to better cope with the symptoms of ADHD.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Causes of ADHD

No one knows exactly what causes ADHD, but certain things are known to play a role.

The Family Connection

ADHD runs in families. Anywhere from one-third to one-half of parents with ADHD will have a child with the disorder. There are genetic characteristics that seem to be passed down.

If a parent has ADHD, a child has more than a 50% chance of having it. If an older sibling has it, a child has more than a 30% chance.

Pregnancy Problems

Children born with a low birth weight, born premature, or whose mothers had difficult pregnancies have a higher risk of having ADHD. The same is true for children with head injuries to the frontal lobe of the brain, the area that controls impulses and emotions.

Studies show that pregnant women who smoke or drink alcohol may have a higher risk of having a child with ADHD. Exposure to lead, PCBs, or pesticides may also have a role.

Researchers believe that some toxins may interfere with brain development. That, they say, could lead to hyperactivity, impulsive behavior, and trouble paying attention.

What Doesn’t Cause ADHD

Although it’s been debated, research does not show that ADHD is caused by eating too much sugar or watching a lot of TV.

Other factors that have largely been ruled out as root causes of ADHD include:

  • Parenting styles. There are techniques that parents can use which help support a child who has ADHD, though.   
  • Diet. A healthy diet is good for the brain, but no particular food or dietary pattern has been shown to cause ADHD.
  • Playing video games. There is no evidence that playing video games causes or worsens ADHD. At the same time, some kids with ADHD may be drawn to fast-paced games on the screen. Children with ADHD may “hyperfocus” while playing video games, which can lead to spending too much time playing video games. So while the games themselves don’t cause ADHD, they’re something that parents may need to limit, especially in children with ADHD.
  • Poverty
  • Stress or unstable

What Goes On in the Brain

Studies show that brain chemicals, called neurotransmitters, don’t work the same in children and adults with ADHD. There also tend to be differences in the way nerve pathways work.

Certain parts of the brain may be less active or smaller in children with ADHD than those without the disorder.

The brain chemical dopamine may also play a role. It carries signals between nerves in the brain and is linked to movement, sleep, mood, attention, and learning.

Does ADHD come from the mother or father?

Available evidence suggests that ADHD is genetic—passed down from parent to child. ADHD seems to run in at least some families. At least one-third of all fathers who had ADHD in their youth have children with the condition. What's more, the majority of identical twins share the ADHD trait.

Is ADHD passed down from mother?

ADHD tends to run in families and, in most cases, it's thought the genes you inherit from your parents are a significant factor in developing the condition. Research shows that parents and siblings of someone with ADHD are more likely to have ADHD themselves.

How likely are you to inherit ADHD from parents?

The Family Connection Anywhere from one-third to one-half of parents with ADHD will have a child with the disorder. There are genetic characteristics that seem to be passed down. If a parent has ADHD, a child has more than a 50% chance of having it. If an older sibling has it, a child has more than a 30% chance.

Is ADHD 100% hereditary?

While the exact causes of ADHD have not been identified, genetic studies show there is a strong hereditary component, with an up to a 91 percent likelihood of passing the disorder to your children.