title: Genetic epidemiology of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD index) in adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In contrast to the large number of studies in children, there is little information on the contribution of genetic factors to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adults.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To estimate the heritability of ADHD in adults as assessed by the ADHD index scored from the CAARS (Conners' Adult ADHD Rating Scales).
  
  
  METHODS
  Phenotype data from over 12,000 adults (twins, siblings and parents) registered with the Netherlands Twin Register were analyzed using genetic structural equation modeling.
  
  
  METHODS
  Heritability estimates for ADHD from the twin-family study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Heritability of ADHD in adults is estimated around 30% in men and women. There is some evidence for assortative mating. All familial transmission is explained by genetic inheritance, there is no support for the hypothesis that cultural transmission from parents to offspring is important.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Heritability for ADHD features in adults is present, but is substantially lower than it is in children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. dorret@psy.vu.nl
authors.forename: Dorret I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Boomsma
authors.forename: Viatcheslav
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Saviouk
authors.forename: Jouke-Jan
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Hottenga
authors.forename: Marijn A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Distel
authors.forename: Marleen H M
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: de Moor
authors.forename: Jacqueline M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Vink
authors.forename: Lot M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Geels
authors.forename: Jenny H D A
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: van Beek
authors.forename: Meike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bartels
authors.forename: Eco J C
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: de Geus
authors.forename: Gonneke
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Willemsen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics*; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D008297:Male; D008957:Models, Genetic; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D010641:Phenotype; D014427:Twins / Q000235:genetics