Biological contributions to the presentation and understanding of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A review

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly diagno sed disorder in children today with estimated prevalence rates falling betw een 3 and 5 % of children (American Psychiatric Association, 1994). From in ception, research has focused on studying varying facets of this disorder w ith initial efforts primarily, focusing on treatment outcome. However, prom inent efforts have been made in recent research efforts to shed light on th e etiology of this disorder. Such research has discovered the contribution of genetic inheritance, as well as environmental factors that lead to the d evelopment of this disorder. Furthermore, studies using neurological and ne uropsychological assessment measures have implicated the involvement Of var ious parts of the brain. This article critically reviews this body of resea rch in light of its impact on the current specific neuropsychologically bas ed etiological theories, as well as the most beneficial directions for futu re research. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.