ADHD » Causes Under Investigation
 Causes under investigation include, but are not limited to:
- Brain differences: Brain scan technology has revealed differences in
the size, symmetry, metabolism, and chemistry of the brain in those who
have ADHD; however, it should be noted that there is yet no clear determination
of the source of these differences.
- Genetic factors: It has been demonstrated that children who have at
least one parent diagnosed with ADHD are more likely to be diagnosed as
having ADHD themselves. Current research is examining which genes may
be involved in ADHD. This investigative path also suggests an associated
hypothesis that environmental factors, handed down from generation to
generation, may trigger the symptoms associated with ADHD. There also
exists a possiblity that a family with one diagnosed member may have a
heightened awareness of the disorder, along with a willingness to seek
formal diagnosis, which would make detection and diagnosis more likely,
thus skewing the data on heritability.
- Brain development in utero and during the first year of life, possibly
related to drug use during pregnancy or environmental toxins.
It has also been suggested that ADHD may result from a poor diet and
other external factors rather than from any physiological source. Studies
of changes in diets of children provide some anecdotal and scientific
evidence for this, but current majority opinion seems to be that the available
evidence is insufficient to either prove or disprove this. However, it
has been noticed that a large portion of children with ADHD seem to be
addicted to milk. It has been proposed by Norwegian and British scientists
that this is due to the casomorphins, peptides formed by incomplete digestion
of the whey protein.
Controversy:
While ADD/ADHD is a known psychiatric condition, there are various theories
about the cause and some controversy over the number of persons diagnosed
and the cost of medications. Some denial in families may also relate to
the negative perception of the condition as a hereditary brain disorder.
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