title: Sex differences in attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: candidate genetic and endocrine mechanisms.
abstract: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a developmental condition characterised by severe inattention, pathological impulsivity and hyperactivity; it is relatively common affecting up to 6% of children, and is associated with a risk of long-term adverse educational and social consequences. Males are considerably more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than females; the course of the disorder and its associated co-morbidities also appear to be sensitive to sex. Here, I discuss fundamental biological (genetic and endocrine) mechanisms that have been shown to, or could theoretically, contribute towards these sexually dimorphic phenomena. Greater understanding of how and why the sexes differ with respect to ADHD vulnerability should allow us to identify and characterise novel protective and risk factors for the disorder, and should ultimately facilitate improved diagnosis, prognosis and treatment.
authors.affiliation: Behavioural Genetics Group, Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Schools of Psychology and Medicine, Cardiff University, Tower Building, Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK; Medical Research Council Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK. Electronic address: daviesw4@cardiff.ac.uk.
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Davies
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000235:genetics*; D001519:Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D004703:Endocrine System / Q000502:physiology*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D012727:Sex Characteristics
keywords: Autism; Basal ganglia; Imprinted gene; Mouse; Rat; Sex chromosome; Sry; Steroid sulfatase; Testosterone; Thalamus