GENETIC AND NEUROBIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF ATTENTION-DEFICIT HYPERACTIVE DISORDER - A REVIEW

This paper reviews key studies that have addressed genetic and neurobi ological aspects in attention deficit hyperactive disorder. Genetic st udies can be divided into three distinct types: twin, adoption, and fa mily studies. Evidence for a particular mode of inheritance and the po ssible specific genetic abnormalities are also explored. There is stro ng evidence of genetic involvement in this condition, although a clear -cut mode of inheritance and specific genetic abnormalities are yet to be determined. Neurobiological aspects such as the neuroanatomical an d neurochemical evidence of various neurotransmitter system involvemen t is explored. Frontal lobe and dopamine and norepinephrine neurotrans mitter systems appear to be involved in attention deficit hyperactive disorder.