Is ADHD genetic? We asked a Harvard scientist | Hyperfocus

Video Description

We’re back with another episode from our Hyperfocus field trip to San Diego. While we were at the APSARD (American Professional Society of ADHD and Related Disorders) conference, one of the talks that really piqued our interest was on genetics and neurodevelopmental disorders, including ADHD. Genetic science is tough to understand. And, as you’ll hear in this interview, we had a lot to learn and a lot of questions. Is ADHD genetic? And if it is, what does that mean for people who have it? What does it mean for treatment? Luckily, Dr. Anne Arnett, a scientist at Boston Children’s Hospital and assistant professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical school, was kind enough to brave a chilly, windy outdoor recording and game to help us understand more about what we know (and what we don’t) about ADHD and genetics. Timestamps 00:00 Intro 02:01 Is ADHD genetic? 08:28 Genetic vs. environmental factors and ADHD co-morbidities 11:50 What does the latest research mean for people with ADHD? 13:55 Is there genetic testing for ADHD? 18:56 Why bother with early detection? 21:44 Anne’s goals for her research Related resources: Video: Dyscalculia, dyslexia, and genetics https://www.understood.org/en/articles/video-dyscalculia-dyslexia-and-genetics Can genetic testing help me find the right ADHD medication? https://www.understood.org/en/articles/genetic-testing-for-adhd-medications Is ADHD hereditary? https://www.understood.org/en/articles/is-adhd-hereditary ADHD runs in the family (Michelle’s story) https://www.understood.org/en/podcasts/adhd-aha/adhd-runs-in-family-mother-son The Arnett Lab at Boston Children’s Hospital https://research.childrenshospital.org/research-units/arnett-lab-research For a transcript and more resources, visit the Hyperfocus episode page on Understood. https://www.understood.org/en/podcasts/hyperfocus/is-adhd-genetic Questions about learning and thinking differences? Get answers and expert-vetted resources by asking the AI-powered Understood Assistant: https://www.understood.org/en/assistant?utm_medium=organic&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=assistant-agn-prod&utm_content=video Understood is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at https://www.understood.org/en/donate?sc=HYP0725YTO&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=fundraising-agn-vid-hyperfocus&utm_content=video For more resources, support, and excellent memes, subscribe to our YouTube channel or follow us on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/understoodorg/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Understood/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@understood.org Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/understoodorg/