if ADHD is genetic, why isn’t there a blood test for it?
In: Chemistry
All other factors aside, because even if we can prove that there is a genetic component to it (we see it popping up in family lines, that sort of confirmation) we don’t necessarily know what that genetic component is, just that it exists.
ADHD isn’t a generic disease like say, sickle cell.
Rather its a condition or disorder – a group of symptoms that cause disorder in that persons life.
There is evidence that ADHD is at the extreme end of a spectrum of human behaviour as well.
So there isn’t a single gene that you inherit. Instead its likely a group of what are called “SNPs” or Single-nucleotide polymorphism if you’re fancy. That’s basically a way to say “inherited mutation”.
ADHD is likely due to issues with dopamine, serotonin and glutamate. Having one single mutation to your dopamine system won’t give you ADHD, but having 6 out of 9 potential snps means there’s a chance you will experience it.
Because all ADHD is not equal, there’s no way to have a single test.
We don’t *know* that it’s genetic – we *think* that it’s at least partly hereditary because it’s slightly more common for family members to share ADHD.
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