London, UK – A new study suggests that traits commonly associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may have actually been an evolutionary advantage for early humans when foraging for food. Researchers found that traits like distractibility and impulsivity, often considered negative, may have improved foraging tactics and led to better food procurement.
ADHD, a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by symptoms such as impulsiveness and difficulty focusing, has seen rising diagnoses in many countries, including the UK. The study, led by Dr. David Barack of the University of Pennsylvania, aimed to explore why ADHD is more prevalent than expected from random genetic mutations alone and why traits such as distractibility and impulsivity are common.
The study, published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, analyzed data from 457 adults who participated in an online foraging game. The researchers found that participants with higher scores on the ADHD scale were more likely to abandon their current foraging patch and hunt for a new one. Surprisingly, these participants also gained more points in the game than those with lower scores on the ADHD scale.
The findings suggest that ADHD-like traits may have conferred an advantage to early humans in seeking out new patches for foraging. The study also aligns with previous work suggesting that populations with nomadic lifestyles, who benefited from exploring, tended to have genes associated with ADHD.
However, the researchers emphasized that the study had limitations, including basing ADHD-like symptoms on self-report. They also highlighted the need for future experiments involving people diagnosed with ADHD and real-world foraging tasks to further explore these findings.
The study has sparked discussions among experts, with some, like Michael J Reiss, a professor of science education at University College London, acknowledging that ADHD can be a serious problem in today’s environments, but it may have been advantageous in our evolutionary past in certain situations where physical activity and rapid decision-making were highly valued.
Overall, the study provides valuable insights into the potential evolutionary advantages of ADHD-like traits and opens the door for further research in this area.