Genetics and ADHD

GENETICS AND ADHD

Attention deficit hyperactivity dis (ADHD ) is a developmental dis that afflicts approximately 3 to 10 of children . This developmental dis is typically observed to be associated with over-activity among affected children , as well as other types of spontaneous actions in combination with lack of attention . For the last several years there have been several attempts in determining candidate genes that may be associated with this dis . To date , modifications in the genes responsible for expressing the dopamine receptors D4 and D5 have been implicated to cause ADHD (Kuntsi

and Stevenson , 200`

There are two general approaches into the investigations of the etiology of ADHD . In terms of genetic approaches , the employment of quantitative trait loci (QTL ) analysis has been employed and subsequently served as a reliable tool for gene association . The QTL analysis involves screening of large populations and checking any presence of genetic variants within specific genetics markers that are located along the genetic range , which is commonly around hundreds of kilobases of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA . The QTL analysis also determines whether there is any linkage that occurs between two particular markers across generation of a family . Linkage studies using QTL analysis may determine whether a specific DNA region is highly variable or not

The developmental dis ADHD is generally diagnosed through psychiatric assessment , which includes reviewing a child 's behavior as observed from his actual presence in the clinic for a defined amount of time . During this observation stage , the psychiatrist will identify any evidences...