WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Existing evidence suggests that genetic risk factors are critical to the development of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Experts at Duke University Medical Center say that siblings of individuals with AD/HD are about four times more likely to develop AD/HD than individuals with no family history of the disorder.
Similarly, many parents of individuals with AD/HD also suffer symptoms. However, adults often fail to recognize their own symptoms until after their child is diagnosed.
"It’s estimated that up to 90 percent of the risk for developing AD/HD stems from genetic factors," according to Dr. Allison Ashley-Koch.
"AD/HD is a complex disorder likely influenced by many genes — some more important than others. We expect these genes interact with each other and with environmental factors to trigger the development of AD/HD."
To tease out key AD/HD genes and important gene-gene and gene-environment interactions, the Duke Center for Human Genetics is enrolling children with AD/HD between the ages of 5 and 12 in a genetic study.
The research team collects detailed family, medical and environmental risk factor histories. Participants are also asked to complete a series of psychological and behavioral assessments.
Blood samples are collected from the children with AD/HD and their parents, whenever possible. Samples may also be collected from siblings and other relatives, regardless of whether they show signs of AD/HD.
The team will follow study participants over time as their symptoms evolve, Ashley Koch said.
