ADHD likely has a genetic component. If a biological parent or sibling has ADHD, you’re more likely to have it, too, but this doesn’t mean you will. Your environment can be influential as well.
Researchers have been unable to identify a single cause for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
A combination of genes, environmental factors, and other developmental factors may influence your chance of ADHD.
A note on genetics and ADHDYou cannot change your DNA, the genes you inherit from your parents, or the genes you pass down to your child. You also cannot change whether you’ll develop a genetic mutation in your inherited genes.
But just because you have a parent or sibling with ADHD doesn’t mean you’ll have it too.
We inherit our genes — the building blocks of our bodies — from our parents. Some traits that might come to mind are those that “run in the family,” such as red hair or your height.
But mental health conditions may also have a hereditary or genetic component. ADHD is one of them.
“Hereditary” refers to genes inherited from your parents. “Genetic” means a change or mutation in your genes. It doesn’t necessarily have to be inherited.
A 2020 research review estimates that a child’s risk of having ADHD is above 40% if their biological parents have ADHD.
More research is necessary to determine whether ADHD is genetic and, if so, which genes may be involved in its development.
One close relative
If you have ADHD, you likely have at least one close relative, such as a parent or sibling, who also has it.
If one or both of your biological parents live with ADHD, you may be more likely to also have the condition.
The same 2018 research review mentioned above cites older studies that suggest that having a sibling with ADHD increases your risk of having it by
Older adoption studies the review authors cite indicate ADHD may be genetic rather than environmental.
Identical twins
Genetically, twins can be:
- Identical: have completely identical genetics
- Fraternal: share 50% of their genes, on average
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Of 37 twin studies included in the research review, experts found ADHD, inattentiveness, and hyperactivity had an average heritability of 74%.
A large 2023 analysis of specific genetic markers involved in the risk of having ADHD identified 27 possibilities. Researchers suggest some of these genes may be causal for ADHD, while others may be variants.
A variant is a permanent change, or mutation, in your DNA. You don’t inherit variants from your parents. Instead, this happens during development or later in your life from a DNA replication error.
Other research indicates a link between specific gene mutations and ADHD. Researchers found
Research in this area is ongoing. More studies are needed to better understand the connection between your genes, mutations, and ADHD.
In a 2024 study, researchers analyzed over 10,000 brain images from more than 8,000 adolescents with and without ADHD. They found that those with ADHD had more activity in the following brain structures:
- caudate nucleus
- putamen
- nucleus accumbens
- amygdala
These brain structures have overlapping functions involved in:
- learning
- movement
- reward
- emotion
- attention
- control of unwanted behaviors
These findings suggest certain brain processes may contribute to common ADHD symptoms, such as:
- inattention
- hyperactivity
- fidgeting
Besides DNA, other factors may influence who develops ADHD. These may include:
- Environmental exposure: Environmental toxins, such as exposure to lead, low access to green spaces, and high air pollution, may increase a child’s risk of ADHD.
- Brain injury: A severe but not mild and moderate traumatic brain injury
may increase a child’s risk of ADHD. - Smoking during pregnancy: Parents who smoke before and during pregnancy may increase their child’s risk of developing ADHD.
- Alcohol use disorder: Alcohol use during adolescence may increase your chance of ADHD.
- Preterm or early term birth: Babies born before their due date are two to three times more likely to receive a diagnosis of ADHD later in ilfe.
This list is not comprehensive. Much of the research on environmental and developmental factors and ADHD risk is still ongoing. No conclusions can be made at this time.
If you’re worried about whether you or your child may have ADHD, tell your doctor about your family history of the condition. Bring up any other risk factors you might be aware of.
The sooner you’re aware of potential signs and symptoms of ADHD in your child or yourself, the sooner you and your doctor can respond with proper treatment.
Beginning treatment and therapy early may help you and your child learn to better cope with the symptoms of ADHD.
You cannot self-diagnose ADHD. Only a qualified professional can provide a diagnosis of ADHD in yourself or your child.
ADHD likely has a genetic or heritable component to it, meaning certain genes you inherit from your parents or certain genetic mutations you develop may contribute to its development.
Having a biological parent or sibling with ADHD increases your likelihood of having it. But this doesn’t necessarily mean that you will develop the condition. Environmental factors may also influence it.
Speak with your doctor if you have concerns about ADHD in yourself or your child. The earlier you speak with them, the sooner you can start management techniques and treatments.