Research Study: Hyperactivity Isn't Necessarily a Disorder in Attention Span but Actually an Advantage

Taken From an Article by Ofra Elani in the Haaretz newspaper, 17/6/08

..."Is hyperactivity really a disorder? Educators and researchers claim that it can be seen as a part of personality that makes functioning difficult in certain activities such as sitting in class or in an office, but can be positive in other situations. A genetics research study that was published last week supports this view.

In the study that was performed by researchers at Northwestern University in Chicago, a group of nomads from a small ethnic group call Ariaal in north Kenya was studied. According to the findings, Ariaal nomads that carried the DNA from the type that causes hyperactivity were healthier than their counterparts who did not have this quality.

"I think that the findings show the need to be careful when classifying this behavior as pathologic", explained to "Haaretz" Dan Eisenberg, director of the research study group. According to Eisenberg, a portion of the variety of personalities that we see cause disturbances in certain situations, however they contribute to survival in others. When taking into consideration this analysis, it could be worthwhile to stop seeing attention deficit as an illness.

Within the framework of the research study, genetic tests were conducted with the Ariaal people and a group of them were identified with different versions of the gene, DRD4, which codes the receptor of the neuro-transmitter Dopamin, which is related among other things to impulsive behaviors. The finding of this version of gene is likely to confirm the existence of attention-deficit disorder. The findings revealed that amongst the nomads, those that carried the version of the gene identified with hyperactivity, had a more resilient and healthy body structure than those that did not carry the version of this gene.

According to Eisenberg, "The DNA that causes symptoms of attention-deficit disorder is connected also to searching after food and an inclination towards innovation." An additional genetic test that was conducted within the framework of the research study with other Ariaal people that stopped being nomads and began a more settled lifestyle and began working in agriculture, also supports this hypothesis. Amongst this population, it was found that specifically those who were characterized with a genetic inclination toward hyperactivity suffered from heath problems. "With the people who needed to work in agriculture and in selling their crops, attention-deficit is likely to harm" explains Eisenberg.

 "Attention-deficit disorder is a general syndrome that includes an inadequate attention span, impulsivity and hyperactivity, but not in every situation is it negative, says professor Verda Gross-Zur from the child neurological unit in Shaarei Tzedek Hospital. We are demanding of children to sit for an extended period of time in an educational setting. In a situation like this, a child with severe attention-deficit disorder is likely to suffer from difficulties in learning and social functioning."

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