Genetic influences on the stability of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms from early to middle childhood

Kuntsi, J. and Rijsdijk, F. and Ronald, Angelica and Asherson, P. and Plomin, R. (2005) Genetic influences on the stability of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms from early to middle childhood. Biological Psychiatry 57 (6), pp. 647-654. ISSN 0006-3223.

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2004.12.032

Abstract

Background The high heritability of the core symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been repeatedly demonstrated, but few studies to date have investigated the extent to which the same genetic influences operate across development or new genes emerge at different developmental periods. Methods We report data from a large, population-based study of approximately 4,000 twin pairs, who have been followed up from early to middle childhood. Results Parents’ ratings of ADHD symptoms showed moderate stability across the ages, which was mainly due to shared genetic influences. There was also evidence of additional genetic influences, which were not shared with those acting earlier on, emerging at later age periods. The contribution of environmental influences to the stability of the ADHD symptoms over time was small. Parents’ ratings on the Conners’ DSM-IV ADHD subscale at the last assessment point, at an average age of 8 years, did not show the rater contrast effects that were observed in the parents’ ratings at earlier ages with briefer measures. Similar estimates of genetic and environmental influences were obtained for girls and boys. Conclusions We discuss the implications of the findings for molecular genetic studies on ADHD symptomatology.

Metadata

Item Type:	Article
School:	Birkbeck Faculties and Schools > Faculty of Science > School of Psychological Sciences
Depositing User:	Sarah Hall
Date Deposited:	04 Feb 2020 17:39
Last Modified:	02 Aug 2023 17:57
URI:	https://eprints.bbk.ac.uk/id/eprint/30815

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