Background: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder, traditionally seen as a childhood disorder; recent studies show that it persists into adulthood, affecting 2.58% of adults globally. ADHD often runs in families, with genetic and environmental factors contributing to its persistence across generations. Aim: To assess the prevalence of ADHD, neuropsychological functioning, and psychiatric comorbidities in the family members of adults diagnosed with ADHD in childhood. Methods: This cross-sectional, analytical study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital. Family members of adult males who were diagnosed with ADHD, including parents and siblings, were assessed for ADHD symptoms and psychiatric comorbidities. Neuropsychological testing for cognitive impairments in attention, memory, and executive functions was done. Statistical analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS, with chi-square and t -tests applied for group comparisons. Results: Thirty male adults were the reference group diagnosed with childhood ADHD. Family history of ADHD was positive in 36.7% of the reference group, with 11 members screening positive for ADHD (7 siblings and 4 parents) out of 82. Neuropsychological testing in these family members revealed deficits across multiple cognitive domains, particularly in sustained attention (81.8%), working memory (81.8%), and planning (100%). Psychiatric morbidity was found in 40% of family members, with substance use disorder being the most common (16.7%). Conclusion: A significant proportion of family members of adults with ADHD also exhibit symptoms of ADHD, reinforcing the genetic link. Neuropsychological deficits in attention, memory, and executive function were prominent in affected family members.
Makkar et al. (Thu,) studied this question.