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Bethan Burnside recently started her PhD in Biomedical Sciences with Professor Frank Kooy in the Cognitive Genetics Lab at the UAntwerp Center of Medical Genetics. She aims to explore the epigenetics of ADHD in adult women. Until recently, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was thought of as a neurodevelopmental condition that occurs in young boys. In fact, even Bethan believed this to be the case – until she was diagnosed with ADHD herself at the age of 25! Unfortunately, due to these misconceptions, ADHD in girls and women is often diagnosed too late or misdiagnosed as something else.

Despite decades of research and recent advances based on genetics and brain imaging, the exact mechanisms underlying Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and a viable and effective treatment are still undiscovered. Dr. Annelies Verlaet, a researcher in the NatuRA group is investigating the use of plant extracts for the treatment of ADHD.