A role for neurotransmission and neurodevelopment in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has a moderate to high genetic component, probably due to many genes with small effects. Several susceptibility genes have been suggested on the basis of hypotheses that catecholaminergic pathways in the brain are responsible for ADHD. However, many negative association findings have been reported, indicating a limited success for investigations using this approach. The results from genome-wide association studies have suggested that genes related to general brain functions rather than specific aspects of the disorder may contribute to its development. Plausible biological hypotheses linked to neurotransmission and neurodevelopment in general and common to different psychiatric conditions need to be considered when defining candidate genes for ADHD association studies.
Roman
Tatiana
T
Departamento de Genética, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves, 9500 - Prédio 43323, Sala 115, Caixa postal 15053, CEP 91501-970, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil.
Rohde
Luis A
LA
Hutz
Mara H
MH