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Objective: Genes likely play a substantial role in the etiology of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, the genetic architecture of the disorder is unknown, and prior genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have not identified a genome-wide significant association. We have conducted a third, independent, multisite GWAS of DSM-IV-TR ADHD. Method: Families were ascertained at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH; N = 309 trios), Washington University at St. Louis (WASH-U; N = 272 trios), and University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA; N = 156 trios). Genotyping was conducted with the Illumina Human1M or Human1M-Duo BeadChip platforms. After applying quality control filters, association with ADHD was tested with 835,136 SNPs in 735 DSM-IV ADHD trios from 732 families. Results: Our smallest p value (6.7E-07) did not reach the threshold for genome-wide statistical significance (5.0E-08), but one of the 20 most significant associations was located in a candidate gene of interest for ADHD (SLC9A9, rs9810857, p = 6.4E-6). We also conducted gene-based tests of candidate genes identified in the literature and found additional evidence of association with SLC9A9. Conclusions: We and our colleagues in the Psychiatric GWAS Consortium are working to pool together GWAS samples to establish the large data sets needed to follow-up on these results and to identify genes for ADHD and other disorders. (Contains 3 figures and 5 tables.)

Objective: To examine gender and age differences in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptom endorsement in a large community-based sample. Method: Families with four or more full siblings ascertained from Missouri birth records completed telephone interviews regarding lifetime DSM-IV ADHD symptoms and the Strengths and Weaknesses of ADHD-Symptoms and Normal-behavior (SWAN) questionnaire for current ADHD symptoms. Complete data were available for 9,380 subjects aged 7 through 29 years. Lifetime and current DSM-IV-like ADHD diagnoses were assigned by the DSM-IV symptom criteria. Linear regression was used to examine sex and age effects on SWAN ADHD symptom scores. Logistic regression was used to examine sex and age effects on specific ADHD diagnoses. Fractional polynomial graphs were used to examine ADHD symptom count variations across age. Results: Overall prevalence of current DSM-IV-like ADHD was 9.2% with a male:female ratio of 2.28:1. The prevalence of DSM-IV-like ADHD was highest in children. Gender differences in DSM-IV-like ADHD subtype prevalences were highest in adolescents. On average, individuals with lifetime DSM-IV-like ADHD diagnoses had elevated current ADHD symptoms even as adolescents or adults. Conclusions: Lower male:female ratios than reported in some clinic-based studies suggest that females are underdiagnosed in the community. Although they may no longer meet the full symptom criteria, young adults with a history of lifetime DSM-IV-like ADHD maintain higher levels of ADHD symptoms compared with the general population. The use of age-specific diagnostic criteria should be considered for DSM-V and ICD-11. (Contains 2 figures and 6 tables.)

A study is conducted to examine the concurrence between parent-reported motor problems and clinical autistic symptoms in children with and without attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Results suggest that children with ADHD and parent-reported motor problems are likely to have more severe autistic symptoms than those with ADHD alone.

A 5-year prospective study attempts to determine the predictors of stability of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) subtypes from childhood to young adulthood. The results conclude that population-defined ADHD subtype criteria indicate improved diagnostic stability over 5 years.

Objective: To determine treatment patterns for youth attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in a general population sample of 1,610 twins. Method: Twin pairs ages 7 to 17 years and parents ascertained from birth records in the state of Missouri were interviewed using the Missouri Assessment of Genetics Interview for Children between 1996 and 2001. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine which factors were significant in answering three questions about treatment for ADHD. Results: Of 302 boys, 177 (58.6%) and 26 of 57 girls (45.6%) who met full "DSM-IV" criteria for ADHD received stimulant medication in this sample. Of 314 youths, 111 (35.4%) who received stimulant medication did not meet "DSM-IV" criteria for ADHD. When controlling for comorbidity and other factors, the number of impairing ADHD symptoms and having a cotwin who was also brought to treatment for ADHD correlated with referral or treatment in youths without ADHD. Youths without ADHD who were treated had a large number of ADHD symptoms. Conclusion: As is shown in earlier studies, children with ADHD are being undertreated. Complex factors, including comorbid disorders and family history of ADHD treatment, affect treatment patterns in the general population. (Contains 3 tables.)

The article examines the co-occurrence of autistic symptoms and motor problems in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The study analyzes the relation between parent reports of motor problems and clinically significant autistic symptoms in children with and without ADHD. It was observed that children with the combination of ADHD and parent-reported motor coordination deficits have elevated levels of autistic symptoms. It also suggested that targeted treatment and prevention interventions may be warranted.

Objective: Clinical and population samples demonstrate that attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) occurs with other disorders. Comorbid disorder clustering within ADHD subtypes is not well studied. Method: Latent class analysis (LCA) examined the co-occurrence of DSM-IV ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), conduct disorder (CD), and depression symptoms in a population twin sample. The authors fit separate models for ADHD and comorbid disorder symptoms. Twin concordance ratios (monozygotic versus dizygotic) were compared examining genetic influence on class membership. Results: LCA of ADHD symptoms resulted in seven classes including inattentive, combined, and hyperactive subtypes in 1,616 subjects. The few ADHD symptoms (53.4%) and severe inattentive (12.3%) classes were most frequent. LCA of ODD, CD, and depression symptoms in 1,587 subjects revealed five classes including ODD (19.4%), depression (14.5%), and two composite classes: ODD/CD (6.9%) and ODD/CD/depression (7.2%). Internalizing and externalizing comorbid disorders were present across all ADHD subtypes. Odds ratios (ORs) for twin concordance indicate genetic influence on severe inattentive (OR = 4.18; 95% confidence interval [Cl], 1.52-11.53) and combined (OR = 5.25; 95% Cl, 1.32-20.78) ADHD classes and ODD (OR = 1.49; 95% Cl, 0.70-3.17), ODD/CD (OR = 3.32; 95% Cl, 0.57- 19.28), and ODD/CD/depression (OR = 1.20; 95% Cl, 0.30-4.77) classes. Conclusions: Internalizing and externalizing disorders did not cluster differentially within ADHD subtypes. LCA may provide a more precise characterization of comorbidity with ADHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on age and sex differences of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) patients. It says that profile evaluation of individuals from seven to 29 years old were made using the Strengths and Weaknesses of ADHD-Symptoms and Normal Behavior (SWAN) questionnaire under specifications of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). The results show that children have the highest prevalence of DSM-IV-like ADHD while females lack ADHD diagnosis.