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Which inherited factors are linked to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder?
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attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
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Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is considered to be at least partly hereditary, with evidence showing that approximately 40 percent of children with the condition have a parent who is also affected, and 35 percent have an affected sibling.1
Specific inherited factors linked to ADHD include:
- Copy Number Variants: About 15 percent of individuals with ADHD appear to carry these chromosomal abnormalities, which consist of deletions and duplications of segments of chromosomes.1
- Evolutionary Conservation: Some researchers suggest that the behaviors associated with ADHD may have once provided an evolutionary advantage, which explains why the underlying genetic components have been conserved within the human gene pool.2
While these genetic factors play a significant role, the condition is generally understood to result from a combination of inherited and environmental influences.1