Scientists in the NICHES center at Duke are studying how exposure to tobacco smoke may increase the risk of developing Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children. Three projects are involved, with the animal project helping to guide what to study in humans. Take a look below!

Q. Does smoking during pregnancy harm my baby’s genes?

Not exactly, but it may cause chemical changes in your baby’s DNA that could increase your child’s and future grandchild’s chances of developing ADHD and smoking later in life. Avoiding direct and indirect smoke exposure can have positive impacts throughout your family’s generations and help promote their healthy development.

Q. How would ADHD affect my child?

ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Common symptoms of ADHD include trouble concentrating, staying calm, and controlling oneself. ADHD is usually diagnosed during childhood but its symptoms can affect your child throughout the life cycle. For more information, visit:  http://psychiatry.duke.edu/divisions/pediatric-and-developmental-behavioral-health/duke-adhd-program

 Q. Why is this important?

More children have ADHD when a mother smokes during pregnancy. 

In addition, a mother who smokes during pregnancy is 4 times more likely to have a child with ADHD than a mother who does not.

Data taken from Nomura et al., Journal of Nervous and Mental Disorders (2010).

Q. Why are scientists using animal models?

Animal models are a cost-effective and efficient way to study human disease because of their short life cycle. There are animal models for ADHD. Scientists can expose animals to tobacco smoke and find specific genes that may cause ADHD-like behaviors. Then they look for those genes in humans to see if the same changes occur after exposure to tobacco smoke.