Genetic support for the dual nature of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: Substantial genetic overlap between the inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive components

TY - JOUR

T1 - Genetic support for the dual nature of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

T2 - Substantial genetic overlap between the inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive components

AU - McLoughlin, G

AU - Ronald, A

AU - Kuntsi, J

AU - Asherson, P

AU - Plomin, R

PY - 2007/12

Y1 - 2007/12

N2 - Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common, complex and highly heritable disorder, characterised by inattentive, impulsive and overactive behaviour. Evidence for the heritability of ADHD measures in twin population samples has come from the analysis of total scores that combine inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms subscales. This study investigated, in a community sample, the aetiology of ADHD-like traits and the aetiological overlap between the two dimensions that define the ADHD disorder. Parents of 6,222 approximately 8-year-old twin pairs from the Twins Early Development Study (TEDS) population sample completed the two subscales of the Conners' 18-item DSMIV checklist, a screening instrument for ADHD symptoms. Both subscales were highly heritable (hyperactive-impulsive: 88%; inattentive: 79%). Bivariate genetic modelling indicated substantial genetic overlap between the two components; however, there were significant independent genetic effects. These findings suggest that many genes associated with the hyperactivity-impulsivity dimension will also be associated with the inattentive dimension but that there is significant genetic heterogeneity as well. These results provide genetic support for combining the two behavioural dimensions that define ADHD, but also suggest that some symptom-specific genes will also be identified

AB - Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common, complex and highly heritable disorder, characterised by inattentive, impulsive and overactive behaviour. Evidence for the heritability of ADHD measures in twin population samples has come from the analysis of total scores that combine inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms subscales. This study investigated, in a community sample, the aetiology of ADHD-like traits and the aetiological overlap between the two dimensions that define the ADHD disorder. Parents of 6,222 approximately 8-year-old twin pairs from the Twins Early Development Study (TEDS) population sample completed the two subscales of the Conners' 18-item DSMIV checklist, a screening instrument for ADHD symptoms. Both subscales were highly heritable (hyperactive-impulsive: 88%; inattentive: 79%). Bivariate genetic modelling indicated substantial genetic overlap between the two components; however, there were significant independent genetic effects. These findings suggest that many genes associated with the hyperactivity-impulsivity dimension will also be associated with the inattentive dimension but that there is significant genetic heterogeneity as well. These results provide genetic support for combining the two behavioural dimensions that define ADHD, but also suggest that some symptom-specific genes will also be identified

KW - Twin study

KW - Genetics

KW - Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

U2 - 10.1007/s10802-007-9149-9

DO - 10.1007/s10802-007-9149-9

M3 - Article

SN - 1573-2835

VL - 35

SP - 999

EP - 1008

JO - Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology

JF - Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology

IS - 6

ER -