Topic hub
ADHD biology, brain, and research
What ADHD research actually shows — and which popular headlines are running ahead of the data.
This hub collects our research-facing articles. They are the ones that try to be honest about what neuroscience, genetics, and imaging have and have not established, and to separate confident findings from speculation dressed up as discovery.
Many of the articles below are written to defuse a viral claim. Where we summarise a study, we link the primary source so you can check our reading.
The ADHD brain
Mechanism articles — what brain imaging and pharmacology actually show.
December 1, 2025
What Causes ADHD in the Brain?
Structure, chemistry, and developmental timing all differ in the ADHD brain. See what the prefrontal cortex, dopamine, and catecholamines actually do.
March 28, 2026
ADHD and Brain Scans: What Science Actually Shows
The ENIGMA consortium scanned 4,000+ people and found a Cohen''s d of -0.21, real but too small to diagnose any single person. What scans do and do not show.
February 5, 2026
Is ADHD Just a Dopamine Problem?
Dopamine matters in ADHD, but a clean "dopamine deficit" does not hold up. Norepinephrine, serotonin, and structural brain differences all share the load.
April 13, 2026
What Is Ring of Fire ADHD?
Ring of fire ADHD is an unofficial label based on SPECT brain scans. It is not in the DSM-5; here is what the science supports and what to ask a clinician.
Genetics and heritability
Is ADHD genetic? Which parent? Do single-gene stories like HOMER1 tell us anything useful?
December 3, 2025
Is ADHD Genetic? What Heritability Research Shows
ADHD heritability is estimated at 74 to 80 percent from twin studies. Learn what genes, family risk, and environment mean for ADHD.
April 8, 2026
Which Parent Passes Down ADHD?
Neither parent is the sole source. A 2.4 million-person Norwegian study quantifies maternal and paternal ADHD risk — here is what it really means.
April 8, 2026
The Homer1 Gene: A New Path to ADHD Treatment
The Homer1 gene may improve attention by quieting background brain activity rather than stimulating it. Learn what this means for ADHD treatment research.
Body systems and ADHD
Gut–brain links, circadian rhythm, physical health, exercise, and the evidence behind each.
March 22, 2026
ADHD and the Gut-Brain Connection: What New Research Shows
Gut bacteria may influence ADHD symptoms through dopamine precursors and inflammation. See what the microbiome research actually shows and what is still uncertain.
February 18, 2026
ADHD and Your Body Clock: The Circadian Rhythm Connection
Dim-light melatonin onset is delayed by about 90 minutes in adults with ADHD (Luu, 2025). How light timing, melatonin, and fixed wake times can help pull it back.
March 24, 2026
ADHD and Physical Health: Obesity, Diabetes, Heart Disease & More
High childhood ADHD traits predict more physical multimorbidity by age 46. See the obesity, heart, diabetes, and asthma links and what to screen for.
March 17, 2026
Exercise as ADHD Treatment: What 7 New Studies Found
Exercise can improve focus, impulse control, and mood in adults with ADHD. Here is what seven recent studies found about type, dose, and sticking with it.
Myths and over-simplifications
The popular claims that keep showing up — and what the evidence actually says.
March 28, 2026
Do People With ADHD Have Higher IQ?
ADHD does not raise or lower IQ. Research shows the same IQ distribution, but testing artifacts and masking create a persistent myth worth understanding.
April 10, 2026
ADHD and Life Expectancy: What the Research Says
A 2025 UK study found a 7-9 year life-expectancy gap for diagnosed ADHD. See why modifiable risks, not ADHD itself, explain most of the shortfall.
April 7, 2026
Can ADHD Go Away in Adulthood?
Only 9% of children with ADHD in the MTA study reached sustained remission by adulthood. Hyperactivity often fades, inattention and executive difficulties stay.
April 9, 2026
Does ADHD Get Worse With Age? Myths & Facts
ADHD is not a progressive disease, yet many adults feel worse in midlife. See what shifts with hormones, demands, and coping, and what actually helps.
March 2, 2026
Paracetamol in Pregnancy and ADHD: The Myth Debunked
A Swedish sibling study of 2.4 million children found no causal link between paracetamol in pregnancy and ADHD. Here is what the newer evidence means.
February 5, 2026
Is ADHD Just a Dopamine Problem?
Dopamine matters in ADHD, but a clean "dopamine deficit" does not hold up. Norepinephrine, serotonin, and structural brain differences all share the load.
How we choose what goes in a hub. These hubs are hand-curated, not category dumps. If an article overlaps two hubs, we pick the one that best matches the angle the article actually takes. For methodology, see our editorial & sourcing policy.