Lead May be Cause of ADHD

Topic: ADHD and ADD
Author: Association for Psychological Science
Published: 2010/01/28 - Updated: 2024/02/09
Publication Type: Findings - Peer-Reviewed: Yes
Contents: Summary - Introduction - Main Item - Related Topics

Synopsis: New research suggests lead may be the cause of ADHD and explains the causal pathway from exposure to disability. Every American today is exposed to low levels of the metal, and indeed nearly all children have measurable levels of lead in their bodies. This has been known for a long time, and in fact government regulation drastically reduced environmental lead a generation ago. But regulating automobile fuel and paint didn't entirely eliminate lead from the environment.

Introduction

ADHD, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, is among the costliest of behavioral disorders. Its combination of inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity leads to accidental injuries, school failure, substance abuse, antisocial behavior and more. Yet despite nearly a century of study, the disorder's roots remain mysterious.

Main Item

Much of modern ADHD research has focused on heritability of the condition, and indeed evidence suggests that genes may account for as much as 70 percent of hyperactivity and inattention in children. But that leaves 30 percent unexplained, so recently the focus has shifted to the environment.

What is it that triggers an underlying susceptibility and changes it into a full-blown disorder?

New research suggests that the culprit may be an old villain lead and what's more it explains the causal pathway from exposure to disability.

Lead is a Neurotoxin

This has been known for a long time, and in fact government regulation drastically reduced environmental lead a generation ago. But regulating automobile fuel and paint didn't entirely eliminate lead from the environment. It's found in trace amounts in everything from children's costume jewelry to imported candies to soil and drinking water.

Every American today is exposed to low levels of the metal, and indeed nearly all children have measurable levels of lead in their bodies. According to psychological scientist Joel Nigg of the Oregon Health & Science University, this universal low-level exposure makes lead an ideal candidate for the disorder's trigger.

This was just a theory until quite recently, but two recent studies now provide strong evidence:

The first study compared children formally diagnosed with ADHD to controls, and found that the children with the disorder had slightly higher levels of lead in their blood. This study showed a link only between blood lead and hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms, not inattention.

A second study showed a robust link between blood lead and both parent and teacher ratings of ADHD symptoms, including both hyperactivity and attention problems. In both studies, the connection was independent of IQ, family income, race, or maternal smoking during pregnancy.

Nigg offers a causal model for the disabling symptoms associated with ADHD:

Lead attaches to sites in the brain's striatum and frontal cortex, where it acts on the genes in these regions causing them to turn on or remain inactive. Gene activity shapes the development and activity of these brain regions. By disrupting brain activity, the toxin in turn alters psychological processes supported by these neurons, notably cognitive control. Finally, diminished cognitive control contributes to hyperactivity and lack of vigilance.

Nigg describes his new data and his explanatory model in the February issue of the journal Current Directions in Psychological Science.

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Attribution/Source(s):

This peer reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World due to its significant relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by Association for Psychological Science, and published on 2010/01/28 (Edit Update: 2024/02/09), the content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity. For further details or clarifications, Association for Psychological Science can be contacted at psychologicalscience.org. NOTE: Disabled World does not provide any warranties or endorsements related to this article.

Explore Related Topics

1 - - Both ADD and ADHD conditions fall under the broader category of attention deficit disorders, but they present with different symptoms and challenges.

2 - - An international study has identified 27 loci in the human genome with genetic variants that increase the risk of ADHD - more than twice as many as previous studies found.

3 - - The youngest children in a school grade are diagnosed with ADHD almost twice as often as the oldest in the class, suggesting age is a primary driver behind the diagnosis.

4 - - Study reveals ADHD is a neurological disorder with neuro-structural and functional manifestations in the brain, not just a purely externalized behavior syndrome.

5 - - The study found pregnant women with obesity and gestational diabetes had children with long-term mental health disorders such as ADHD.

Complete List of Related Information

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Cite This Page (APA): Association for Psychological Science. (2010, January 28 - Last revised: 2024, February 9). Lead May be Cause of ADHD. Disabled World. Retrieved October 13, 2024 from www.disabled-world.com/health/neurology/adhd-autism/lead-adhd.php

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