Molecular Genetics of Attention Deficit–Hyperactivity Disorder ( ADHD )

Abstract

Abstract Attention deficit–hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) comprises a common and highly heritable group of syndromes with childhood onset that are characterised by impairments in attention span, impulse control and/or activity level. Neurobehavioral, imaging, treatment and genetic studies are consistent with the clinical symptoms of ADHD being caused by abnormalities of the ventral projections of catecholamine pathways in the brain. Twin and adoption studies suggest that there is a strong genetic influence on ADHD with a heritability of approximately 0.76. Linkage studies have identified chromosome areas 5p13, 11q22–25, 17p11 and bin16.4 as being associated..