Genetic differences affecting toddler activity levels are also associated with ADHD

Article excerpt

A toddler's activity levels are influenced by genetic differences, with some of the same genetic markers also linked to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to new research from the University of Surrey. In the first study of its kind, an international team of scientists, led by Professor Angelica Ronald, analyzed data from nearly 80,000 infants from multiple national and international cohort studies to discover the genetic differences that influence toddler activity levels. Genetic differences (or genetic variation) refer to the differences in DNA sequences between individuals.