Article/Research-into-ADHD

The Need to Focus Research into The Causes of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder on Factors Other Than Genetics

By: DaShawn Robinson Sr., DHSc., MHA, MSc.

Published: November 9, 2023

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Research has generally focused on genetic factors when trying to figure out the cause and distribution of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), especially in children and adolescents. In an article by Kimberly Holland (2018), she identified other factors that could contribute to ADHD, like environmental factors or nutrition and diet. In the same article, Mrs. Holland mentioned that researchers tend to focus on identifying if and how genetics affect ADHD in children (Holland, 2018). The article “A Systematic Screening of ADHD-Susceptible Variants From 25 Chinese Parents–Offspring Trios” demonstrated that 25 children diagnosed with ADHD did not inherit the disorder from their parents or families (Li et al., 2022).

The question is, why did the research stop there? Mental health researchers should begin researching social and environmental factors that could cause ADHD in children before six. Researchers should also research material diet through each trimester of pregnancy. Other nutritional factors such as bottle-feeding, breastfeeding, or which brands of baby food babies eat should also be included in the nutritional research into ADHD. Suppose genetics is the primary factor “for the development of ADHD in children.” In that case, it would be helpful to identify but almost impossible to implement factors to minimize or control the disorder. Suppose researchers can determine if environmental factors or nutritional factors cause ADHD. It could be a considerable breakthrough in preventing and possibly helping families reduce the risk of their children developing ADHD. Research has done little to prove that ADHD is genetic. 

Looking to the article by Li (2022), genetics were proven not to be the cause of ADHD in a cohort of 25 children of Chinese ethnicity. It would be fascinating to know what other factors might have caused these children to develop ADHD. Dr. Muhammad (2021) indicated that a high-glucose diet causes hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattentiveness, which are all symptoms of ADHD. While a diet high in lean beef, poultry, fish, eggs, and beans helps relieve ADHD symptoms. This is why research on environmental and nutritional factors should be conducted to determine other factors that might contribute to the main determinants of the development of ADHD in children.

Building on this study, researchers could find evidence of other determinants that could have contributed to ADHD in this cohort of children. It could be significant for ADHD and other similar mental health disorders if external factors were primary drivers for causation. This study could use many different ethnic groups residing in other regions. Suppose improvements to the external environment or an expectant mother’s diet could prevent a child from developing ADHD. Expanding studies to investigate other factors would be a great start to understanding the determinants of ADHD in Children.

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