Numerous studies over the years have noted an overlap in some symptoms of ADHD with some symptoms of schizophrenia and a link between childhood attention deficits with later schizophrenia diagnoses.

A new study has attempted to pinpoint the exact degree of connection between the two. This study found a relatively small correlation, but it is significant enough to warrant further research.

The authors of the study believe that attention deficits may be connected to a genetic factor for schizophrenia.

The Good News: The Correlation Isn’t Huge

While the study authors describe attention issues as “one of the earliest precursors of schizophrenia,” the genetic link between attention span deficits and later symptoms of schizophrenia is between 4-16%.

One of the authors, Sarah Chang, explained that if attention span difficulties fully explained the genetic predisposition, “that percentage would be 100%,” according to Reformer.

In other words, if your child has attention span struggles or is diagnosed with ADHD, it doesn’t mean you should immediately be on the lookout for symptoms of psychosis.

Exactly What Did The Researchers Examine?

The study examined relationships between attention span presentation and psychosis-spectrum symptoms. More specifically, they examined the frequency of “psychotic-like experiences,” or PLEs, which Science Direct explains includes

“Psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) are perceptions, thoughts, or beliefs that are considered odd, unusual, or unreal, and are commonly experienced also in the general population.”

Here, we must back up and understand that PLEs vary in frequency and degree. For example, what might be considered a subclinical PLE (one that doesn’t result in a diagnosis or require medical care) could be an auditory hallucination, like when you’re in the shower and think you hear the baby crying so you grab a towel and run only to find that he’s still soundly asleep.

That’s a different degree from a hallucination that interferes with life or causes a person to be a danger to themself or others.

The study associated more severe PLEs with neuropsychiatric polygenic scores (PGSs) — that is, a series of genetic factors that indicate the likelihood of developing a psychiatric disorder.

So, What’s The Point Of Examining The Link?

If you remember high school biology, we know there are genotypes and phenotypes, which we can simplify into the idea that a genotype is what your genetic code says. A phenotype is the trait we actually see.

We know some genetic markers that suggest the likelihood of developing these traits of schizophrenia, but we don’t make a habit of randomly DNA testing the population for those markers. Instead, if we can learn linked traits — for example, if we know that people with attention deficits may have genes linked to psychiatric disorders — then we can use those traits as a hint that a given patient may warrant genetic testing or further medical assessment.

In this case, the study has found only a small link, and the plan is to continue researching for other traits that may help predict when an individual is likely to suffer mental illnesses later in life and potentially prevent the onset, according to US News.

What Should Parents Do?

If your child has traits that suggest ADHD or other developmental disorders, consider having him assessed and helping him obtain any accommodations that may help cope with schoolwork and other obligations.

Don’t panic about the link this study has examined. While a 2018 study found that schizophrenia patients are about ten times as likely to have demonstrated ADHD symptoms as a child compared to the general population, that doesn’t mean the reverse is true.

Please check in with your child and keep up with follow-up appointments. As always, speak with your doctor about any concerns about your child’s mental or physical health.