Genetic epidemiology of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD index) in adults.
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.
Boomsma
Dorret I
DI
Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. dorret@psy.vu.nl
Saviouk
Viatcheslav
V
Hottenga
Jouke-Jan
JJ
Distel
Marijn A
MA
de Moor
Marleen H M
MH
Vink
Jacqueline M
JM
Geels
Lot M
LM
van Beek
Jenny H D A
JH
Bartels
Meike
M
de Geus
Eco J C
EJ
Willemsen
Gonneke
G
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