FMRI activation patterns in adult patients with Attention-deficit Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

With a prevalence of 3 to 5% ADHD is the most common disorder of child and adolescent psychiatry. The clinical signs are attention deficits, impulsiveness and hyperactivity and start at the age of 6. ADHD persists in about 20–30% into adulthood. This disorder has a strong genetical link. The rates of concordance (0.7–0.9) in twin studies give strong evidence for this hypothesis. Different candidate genes have been found in molecular genetic association studies and genome studies that differentially modulate monoaminergic transmitter systems (Retz et al. 2002, 2003, 2004; Ogdie et al. 2003). Based on empirical da…