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BACKGROUND
Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder
(ADHD) is defined in DSM-IV as a prevalent syndrome with onset in early
childhood characterized by problems with attention span, distractibility,
hyperactivity, and impulsiveness. The disorder is associated with academic,
peer relationships and family dysfunction. The current DSM nomenclature
considers 9 inattentive, 6 hyperactive and 3 impulsive symptoms and requires
impairment in two or more settings (school, peers or home). Cases may be
categorized as primarily inattentive, primarily hyperactive/ impulsive or
combined subtypes. Epidemiological studies estimate that the prevalence of
ADHD is between 3 and 9 percent and affects boys more commonly than girls. In
addition to the academic and social problems associated with the diagnosis of
ADHD, ADHD has also been associated with increases in injuries, visits to
emergency rooms, traffic violations and alcohol and drug use/abuse. ADHD may
also account for the social and behavioral
dysfunction attributed to other disorders such as Tourette's syndrome. Since
the turn of the last century ADHD has been recognized to "run" in
families and to be associated with other familial problems such as alcoholism
and antisocial behavior. Recent studies have
demonstrated the presence of multiple, genetically independent forms of
attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) which would be best studied
individually. The prevalence of ADHD and its pervasive influence on
academic/employment and social/family functioning make it a significant
public health problem.
The long-term aim of this study is the identification of genetic elements
which predispose to the development and course of attention
deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). |
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