Report from the Second International Meeting of the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Molecular Genetics Network

Given evidence from twin, family, and adoption studies of genetic influence on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a growing number of re searchers have initiated molecular genetics studies to explore the influenc e of specific genes on this condition. In 1999, these investigators convene d to discuss ways of sharing information and facilitating collaborations ac ross research sites. Enthusiastic response to this first conference prompte d an even larger group of investigators to come together this year. This re cent meeting held in London, began with a presentation of Hypescheme, an op erational criteria check-list developed in an effort to promote the reliabl e communication of diagnostic and other relevant clinical information relat ed to ADHD. The benefits and limitations of Hypescheme, as well as the cont inued challenges to collaboration, mere discussed, A new ADHD-specific rati ng scale, developed to be of use in genetic analyses, was also presented. F ocus then turned to collaborative projects proposed. by investigators and p ractical suggestions regarding joint data analyses projects. Finally, new d ata from individual sites were presented. Because the mode of inheritance o f ADHD is likely to be complex, efforts to collaborate and cross-validate f indings remain an important priority for researchers studying the molecular genetics of this disorder. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.