Luke Aulbert

UWRT 1103
5/7/16
Malcolm Campbell

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Is ADHD Evolution?
ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) or ADD (Attention Deficit
Disorder) is a mental illness in which every American thinks they seem to have at times.
Many people seem to think they have ADHD brain or say they are so ADHD. ADHD
or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a mental disorder, which is characterized
by the DSM-V as impairing one's attention, shifting tasks constantly, and displaying
hyperactive behavior (Sandra et al). Although some people seem to think ADHD is just
something kids experience nowadays, recent research is showing perhaps ADHD is a
product of natural selection, and at one time was needed to survive in nomadic settings.
This idea that ADHD is a product of evolution is controversial, however, as some
psychologists, most notably Thomas Barkley, are strongly against the notion that ADHD
could have been linked to evolution. On the other hand, many recent psychologists such
as Elaine Morgan and Dan Eisenberg argue ADHD is a product of evolution, originating
in the nomadic time period. Finding ADHD is a product of evolution would contribute to
the hereditary and biological knowledge of ADHD and therefore contribute to greater
understanding of the disease as a whole.
Recent Research Suggest Evidence
In 2008, Dan Eisenberg, a research psychologist of Northwestern University,
conducted an experiment examining 150 Ariaal people, a tribal group in Africa in which
half the group belonged to a civilized population while the other half belonged to

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nomadic settings. Eisenberg notes a specific gene-allele expression that is commonly

associated with ADHD, 7-DRD4. He notes 7-DRD4 desensitize dopamine receptors,
which lead to increased aggravated behavior. Eisenberg also notes that the gene allele
expression originated approximately 45,000 years ago has shown signs of evolutionary
selection and was positively selected for meaning this gene was selected at one point for
survival purposes. In addition to this information Eisenberg also notes that the 7-DRD4
genes is found more often in migratory population. This gives reason for Eisenberg to
believe that ADHD was beneficial for nomadic tribesmen. The study concluded
tribesmen who lived in nomadic settings who displayed traits of ADHD were better
nourished than those who did not display these traits. However, those living in civilized
settings who displayed ADHD traits were less nourished than those who did not display
these traits (Eisenberg 2008)). Eisenberg concluded tribesmen possessing ADHD
symptoms thrive in nomadic settings, as these tribesmen were impatient, more athletic,
and constantly shifted from one prey to the next. In the discussion section of his research,
Dan Eisenberg discusses the advantages of these findings, stating schools could adapt
their curriculum in order to best suit the kids afflicted with ADHD and treatments could
change due to this finding. With this information, schools, therapist, and parents alike
could treat ADHD as a change in habits, not as something that will devastate a childs
life. In his experiment, not only does Eisenberg mention the scientific backing of certain
gene alleles that could prove that there is scientific evidence that backs the association
with ADHD.
Eisenberg is not the only psychologist who states ADHD originated due to
evolution. In Tremblays research article ADHD: An Evolutionary Perspective,

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Tremblay cites theories to explain why ADHD could have been a product of evolution. In
orders to back her claim, Tremblay cites another research psychologists research, Dr.
Elaine Morgans Descent of Woman. In this article, Morgan proposes the wader theory
for why ADHD could have actually helped early humans. According to Morgan ADHD
surfaced primarily due to humans spending time in aquatic waters and spent a majority of
the evolutionary period going from quadrupedal to bipedal, from mute to linguistic (qtd.
in Shelby Tremblay). Morgan proposes this is primarily due to earlier humans spending
the majority of their time being tidal waders. Morgan notes the absence of body hair on
Humans in which would have created drag in water. Without hair a human child would
need to cling to its mother for warmth (qtd. Shelby Tremblay) Elaine Morgan concluded
that as a result, an early human child spending time in these waters needed to initiate
contact with the contacts with their mother to survive and quotes a previous study by her
stating afflicted with ADHD stating that children afflicted with ADHD initiate more
contacts with their mother and therefore possessed an evolutionary advantage over people
who were not afflicted with this illness. This theory, along with Eisenbergs research
experiment further cements the case that ADHD is a direct result of evolution.
In addition to the waders theory, this article also mentions two additional theories
to help prove why there could be an evolutionary connection between ADHD and
nomadic survival, the hunter theory and the fighter theory. In concerns to the hunter
theory, Tremblay cites Thom Hartmanns hunter theory in which states ADHD might
have actually stemmed from our ancestors to survive (qtd. in Shelby Tremblay). In this
article, Tremblay writes, traits of distractibility, impulsiveness, and even aggression
could have been beneficial to hunters. If a hunter quickly noticed something shining in

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the dark, the source of light was either potential prey or a potential predator(Shelby
Tremblay). Given nomadic hunters depend heavily on hunting as a source for food, these
benefits would have definitely helped a person in nomadic settings and would have given
tribesmen afflicted with ADHD an evolutionary advantage. This theory proposes that
Modern ADHD is a result of leftovers hunters, those who matured and left the hunter
gatherer society (Tremblay) This might also help explain why Eisenberg found a higher
prevalence of the allele expression 7-DRD4 in nomadic tribesmen given 7-DR4D is
associated with ADHD and this Tremblay states hunters with ADHD would have had an
evolutionary advantage.
In the fighter theory section of her research article, Tremblay notes the extinction
of the Homo Neanderthals as evidence that becoming a fighter was an advantage for early
human civilization. According to Tremblay, she states that Homo sapiens caused the
extinction of the Neanderthals either through indirect means or by direct means. By either
having a slightly reproduction rate, or by homo sapiens initiating aggression on the
Neanderthals as they were in direct competition with Homo Sapiens for resources,
therefore aggression would have benefited humans. Tremblay notes the typical
aggression of fighters as well as people who are afflicted with ADHD. Since both of these
groups display aggression, Tremblay has suggested that a fighter with ADHD would have
a greater advantage than a fighter without ADHD. These two theories play a significant
role in presenting evidence as to why ADHD could have been a product of evolution and
help to explain some of Eisenbergs findings as Tribesmen typically hunted and showed
more signs of aggression as opposed settled populations.

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Another research study confirms that the gene allele 7-DRD4 may have
undergone evolution, in a study conducted by Jonathan Williams and Eric Taylor, they
discuss that the Gene allele expression 7-DRD4 shows evidence of undergoing natural
selection. Due to this, they state this raises the possibility of ADHD having evolutionary
origins. They provide reasoning as to why ADHD might be evolutionary, stating ADHD
afflicted individuals go through physical and social mistakes provide useful lessons for
the majority, while the majority remain safe. Due to this the researchers suggest that
people afflicted with ADHD were needed in order to keep the general population alive. In
order to back this claim up, the researchers conduct a food poisoning simulation with
groups of 10-40 early Hominids. They separated the simulation into four groups where
one group had a 100% predictability rate, another group with a 25% unpredictability rate
and a 75% predictability rate. The researches state that unpredictability, an important
evolutionary aspect of ADHD, played a key role in early human survival. The researchers
found that groups, with 5% unpredictability, a number that is closely linked to the
prevalence of ADHD, were the best fit for survival. The researcher explained that this
group acquired an intermediate knowledge of the food surrounding them, and ate the best
foods the individuals could find and therefore lead to a greater survival rate. In this
experiment, Researchers demonstrate that some form of unpredictability was needed in
early civilization in order to survive. They provide evidence through their food poisoning
experiment, which further suggest that ADHD could have been beneficial for early
human civilization.
However, not all psychologists agree ADHD is caused by evolution. Dr. Thomas
Barkley, a leading researcher on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder provides a

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counter argument about why ADHD is not a product of evolution. In an interview

conducted on him by Thom Hartmann about whether or not ADHD is evolutionary. Dr.
Thomas Barkley proposes that we do not know enough about ADHD to conclude that
ADHD is a product of human evolution. Dr. Barkley states that just because people
afflicted with ADHD can be successful you cannot correlate ADHD with success.
Barkley states Ulysses S. Grant was a great general because he drank (qtd in
Hartmann)). In his interview, Dr. Thomas Barkley fails to state any scientific evidence to
back his claims up. To defend his argument, Dr. Thomas Barkley states we do not know
enough about psychology to firmly state ADHD is a result of evolution and when we
know enough about ADHD, we will be able to state that ADHD is not caused by Human
evolution. Barkley does not disprove any articles or studies of psychologists such as
Elaine Morgans Descent of Women; he merely states that we do not know enough
about Psychology to say ADHD isnt evolution.
Although this issue isnt explicitly broadcast in mainstream media, popular news
sites such as Slate.com are beginning to agree with the notion ADHD is evolutionary. In
2008, the website Slate.com published an article citing Dan Eisenbergs study about
ADHD, author of this article, William Saletan, states that perhaps ADHD might have
been an evolutionary advantage in the past. Saletan quotes Eisenbergs finding that
Tribesmen who possessed ADHD symptoms were better nourished than those who did
not have ADHD symptoms; in this article Saletan suggests that hunter gatherers had to
know a bit of everything to survive and mentions an ADHD persons tendency to switch
from one activity to another. Saletan also notes gene allele 7-DRD4 expression and
notes Eisenbergs research that explains It might be that the attention spans

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conferred by the DRD4/7R+ genotype allow nomadic children to more

readily learn effectively in a dynamic environment (without schools)
(qtd. In Saletan) However, Saletan also notes this doesn't mean ADHD is wonderful.
Genes that promote fat storage may have been similarly advantageous in subsistence
environments, but obesity is still a curse(Saletan). With this statement, Saletan is
attempting to explain to the reader that just because ADHD may be evolutionary doesnt
not change the disease itself, and instead adaptation may be more beneficial to children
afflicted with ADHD.
In conclusion
Through these academic articles and studies, there is evidence to conclude ADHD
could have been passed down by evolution, particularly through Nomadic tribesmen and
through multiple studies of the 7-DRD4-gene allele expression. However, we cannot
confirm ADHD is evolutionary and furthermore, this does not mean ADHD is beneficial
today, as Slate points out that although excessive fat storage was beneficial in the past, fat
storage is not beneficial today due to rising rates of obesity. Certain psychologists such as
Thomas Barkley argue ADHD is not evolutionary, stating that psychologists do not know
enough about evolutionary history to confirm this is the case, and however the majority
of psychologist is leaning towards the notion of ADHD being evolutionary. Although
psychologist cannot confirm ADHD is linked to evolution, recent research provides
substantial evidence that a connection between evolution and ADHD exist.

Works Cited

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ADHD Hunter vs Farmer Theory ADHD Theories ADHD health, 09 Sept 2014. Web. A
07 Mar. 2016
Eisenberg, Dan Ta, Benjamin Campbell, Peter B. Gray, and Michael D. Sorenson.
Dopamine Receptor Genetic Polymorphisms and Body Composition in a a a
Undernourished Pastoralists: An Exploration of Nutrition Indices among Nomadic
and Recently Settled Ariaal Men of Northern Kenya. BMC Evolutionary
Biology 8.1 (2008): 173. Web. 7 Mar. 2016.
Hartmann, Thom, and Vaudree Lavallee. ADHD: Disorder or Difference? Thom a a
aa

Hartmann Program, 01 Nov. 2007. Web. 12 Mar. 2016.

Morgan, Elaine. "The Descent of Woman." (The Aquatic Ape, 1972) [WorldCat.org]. aa
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World Cat, 2010. Web. 10 Apr. 2016.

Saletan, William. "Was ADHD an Evolutionary Asset?" Slate. The Slate Group, n.d. a aa
a a Web. 05 a a a

Apr. 2016

Sandra et al. "BMC Psychiatry." European Consensus Statement on Diagnosis and the
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Treatment of Adult ADHD: The European Network Adult ADHD. BioMed aa aa

aaa Central, 03 Sept. 2010. Web. 10 Apr. 2016.

Shelley-Tremblay, John F., and Lee A. Rosn.Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder:
An

Evolutionary Perspective. The Journal of Genetic Psychology 157.4 (1996): aa

443-53. Colorado State University, 2001. 15 Mar. 2016.

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