Neurobiology of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
This article addresses the current understanding of the neurobiological bases of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), focusing on empiric research findings that connect genetic and environmental factors to structural and functional brain abnormalities, ultimately leading to a set of age-dependent behavioral manifestations. Section one presents evidence for genetic risk factors for ADHD and discusses the role of potential environmental factors in the etiology of the disorder. Section two focuses on brain imaging studies and how they have helped generate different hypotheses regarding the pathophysiology of ADHD. Finally, the article addresses the longitudinal course of symptoms in ADHD from infancy to adulthood in an attempt to place biological findings for this complex brain disorder in the context of maturation and development.
aDepartment of Psychiatry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2350 - 2201A 90035-903, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
bNeuroscience and Mental Health Research Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8, Canada
cNew York University Child Study Center, 215 Lexington Avenue, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10016, USA
dNathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, 140 Old Orangeburg Road, Orangeburg, NY 10962, USA
Corresponding author. Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2350 - 2201A 90035-903, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
R. Tannock has received research funds from Eli Lilly and Shire, currently, sits on the Advisory Boards of Eli Lilly and Pfizer, acts as a consultant to Eli Lilly, and has received honoraria from Eli Lilly, Shire, Janssen-Ortho, McNeil, and Pfizer. All such funding is donated to The Hospital for Sick Children Foundation for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder research.
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