ADHD Gene May Have Benefited Early Humans

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Wednesday January 9 1:56

ADHD Gene May Have Benefited Early Humans

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A gene variation associated with

attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) first appeared 10,000 to

40,000 years ago, and may have been advantageous to early humans, according

to a new report.``Up to half of ADHD individuals have this variant gene,''

lead investigator Dr. K. Moyzis of the University of California,

Irvine, told Reuters Health in an interview.ADHD is characterized by

impulsiveness, difficulty with academic and social functioning, and short

attention span. It is commonly treated with the stimulant drug Ritalin (<A

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- <A

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=Ritalin & cs=nw " >web sites</A>).The researchers speculate that during that period

of human

evolution, characteristics associated with ADHD that are considered a

hindrance in today's classrooms, such as novelty-seeking behavior, may have

been beneficial to humans.Early humans with the variant gene may have also

been more successful at mating and reproduction, the authors note, which

would explain why the gene variation is so widespread now.A variation of the

gene DRD4, known as 7R, has been linked both to ADHD and to the

``novelty-seeking'' personality trait. In their study, published in the

January 8th issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (<A

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</A> - <A

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=National%20Academy%20of%20Sciences & cs=nw " >web sites</A>), the researchers

sequenced the DRD4 genes of 600 individuals

from around the world.Fifty-six variations of the gene were identified. After

analyzing the different variants, the investigators concluded that the 7R

variant appeared recently in human evolution and may have provided some

evolutionary advantage.``We speculate that the very traits that may be

advantageous for individuals possessing this variant gene may predispose

behaviors that are deemed inappropriate in the typical classroom setting,''

Moyzis told Reuters Health.``If so, then for some ADHD individuals,

alternative methods of education may be more useful than medication,'' he

added. ''This study also provides a clue to why ADHD is so pervasive and may

show us a way to provide more effective treatments.''SOURCE: Proceedings of

the National Academy of Sciences 2002;99:309-314

Mike Savory

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