BGU Study Finds ADHD Risk Is Shaped by Early Environment
BGU Study Finds ADHD Risk Is Shaped by Early Environment
January 23, 2026
Medical Research, Research News
Ynet News— A 17-year study by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU), highlighted by Ynet News, suggests that the risk of ADHD is not fixed at birth but shaped by the interaction between a child’s early environment and individual sensitivity. Led by Professors Andrea Berger and Judith G. Auerbach, along with Dr. Tzlil Einziger, the study followed approximately 125 children from birth through adolescence, examining infant temperament, parental ADHD symptoms, and the quality of the early home environment.
The researchers found that infants with high motor activity—especially those whose parents exhibited elevated ADHD symptoms—were especially sensitive to their surroundings. Crucially, supportive early environments predicted stronger cognitive functioning by age seven, which in turn was associated with fewer ADHD symptoms later in childhood and adolescence.
The findings showed that less enriching environments were associated with poorer outcomes. “There aren’t just ‘sensitive’ and ‘non-sensitive’ children,” said Prof. Berger. “Sensitivity exists on a continuum, shaped by the interaction between child temperament and parental characteristics.” Prof. Auerbach added, “Understanding this can help tailor early environments to better support children who need it most,” highlighting the importance of early intervention for at-risk children.
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