A new study published in the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology explores the connection between Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and cortisol levels. Researchers found that ADHD and morning cortisol levels share a complex genetic foundation, suggesting common biological pathways regulating arousal and behavior.
The study suggests that genetic variants influence both ADHD and cortisol levels, but these influences are not direct cause-and-effect relationships. Instead, they propose an “inverted U-shaped” model of physiological regulation, where optimal functioning occurs at moderate levels of arousal, and deviations can lead to ADHD-related traits.
Researchers used large-scale genetic data to investigate the connection between ADHD and morning cortisol levels. They found that specific genomic regions, including those on chromosomes 5 and 22, were linked to both conditions. These regions are associated with genes previously implicated in psychiatric conditions, cognitive functions, and risk-taking behaviors.
The study’s results indicate that a lower genetic predisposition for morning cortisol is linked to ADHD, while higher genetic predispositions for cortisol are associated with other externalizing disorders such as substance use disorder or oppositional defiant disorder.
While the study has some limitations, it suggests that ADHD should be reframed as a condition involving broader systemic dysregulation. Future research can build on these findings by examining genetic links in larger and more diverse populations, integrating genetic data with cortisol measurements over time, and exploring how shared genetic factors influence hormonal dynamics from day to day.
Source: https://www.psypost.org/researchers-uncover-complex-genetic-ties-between-adhd-and-morning-cortisol