|
Lead a significant factor in the development of ADHD |
Current ADHD research suggests that around 70% may have a genetic origin but new studies by psychological scientist Joel Nigg of the Oregon Health & Science University suggest that lead might play a significant role in the remaining 30%. Dr Nigg’s first study compared children formally diagnosed with ADHD to controls, and found that the children with hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms had slightly higher levels of lead in their blood. His second study showed a robust link between blood lead and both parent and teacher ratings of ADHD symptoms, including both hyperactivity and attention problems. In both studies, the connection was independent of IQ, family income, race, or maternal smoking during pregnancy. Joel Nigg. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Endophenotypes, Structure, and Etiological Pathways. Current Directions in Psychological Science, February, 2010 Courtesy of Science Daily First published February 2010 Click here for more research reports on the causes of ADHD
|