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> ...and impulsivity, which are common behaviors of ADHD, and exposures to lead, PCBs, mercury, and certain pesticides. Animal studies that examine the link bet

by tomlin 15y ago

> ...and impulsivity, which are common behaviors of ADHD, and exposures to lead, PCBs, mercury, and certain pesticides. Animal studies that examine the link between environmental exposures and animal models of ADHD, or common ADHD behaviors, provide supporting evidence that exposures to lead, PCBs, mercury, and pesticides may contribute to ADHD. Sure, so how do you explain my two brothers along with myself and mother all having different severities of ADHD? From everything I've read, especially newer studies, genetics play a much larger role in ADHD, specifically genetic relationships with dopamine levels. The PDF you cited actually notes genetics as a frontrunner: Research indicates that individual genetic features influence the incidence of ADHD, but often in combination with environmental factors Further, ADHD-PI has a much higher incidence of genetic cause (sometimes referred to as SCT, or Sluggish Cognitive Tempo) [1]. Like ADHD, those with SCT symptoms have a condition that appears to be genetic in nature. I wouldn't disagree that environment plays a factor, but the frontrunner is genetics. [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sluggish_cognitive_tempo http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sluggish_cognitive_tempo

Alex3917 15y ago
"From everything I've read, especially newer studies, genetics play a much larger role in ADHD, specifically genetic relationships with dopamine levels." As the paragraph I quoted says, most of the studies the EPA report cites were published within the last five years. Even if ADHD is caused mostly by DNA variations, that still doesn't tell us what is causing the DNA variations. E.g. is it something that's relatively stable across all countries and time periods, or is it something specific to certain ethnic groups, or are there environmental factors that are altering DNA or even directly altering brain functioning.
adrianN 15y ago
The environment can affect things like DNA methylation.

by tomlin 15y ago

Alex3917 15y ago

"From everything I've read, especially newer studies, genetics play a much larger role in ADHD, specifically genetic relationships with dopamine levels." As the paragraph I quoted says, most of the studies the EPA report cites were published within the last five years. Even if ADHD is caused mostly by DNA variations, that still doesn't tell us what is causing the DNA variations. E.g. is it something that's relatively stable across all countries and time periods, or is it something specific to certain ethnic groups, or are there environmental factors that are altering DNA or even directly altering brain functioning.

adrianN 15y ago

The environment can affect things like DNA methylation.