Genetic epidemiology of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD index) in adults

Dorret I Boomsma; Viatcheslav Saviouk; Jouke-Jan Hottenga; Marijn A Distel; Marleen H M de Moor; Jacqueline M Vink; Lot M Geels; Jenny H D A van Beek; Meike Bartels; Eco J C de Geus; Gonneke Willemsen

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0010621

Genetic epidemiology of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD index) in adults

Dorret I Boomsma, Viatcheslav Saviouk, Jouke-Jan Hottenga, Marijn A Distel, Marleen H M de Moor, Jacqueline M Vink, Lot M Geels, Jenny H D A van Beek, Meike Bartels, Eco J C de Geus, Gonneke Willemsen

Epidemiology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

111 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

CONTEXT: In contrast to the large number of studies in children, there is little information on the contribution of genetic factors to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adults.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the heritability of ADHD in adults as assessed by the ADHD index scored from the CAARS (Conners' Adult ADHD Rating Scales).

DESIGN: Phenotype data from over 12,000 adults (twins, siblings and parents) registered with the Netherlands Twin Register were analyzed using genetic structural equation modeling.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Heritability estimates for ADHD from the twin-family study.

RESULTS: Heritability of ADHD in adults is estimated around 30% in men and women. There is some evidence for assortative mating. All familial transmission is explained by genetic inheritance, there is no support for the hypothesis that cultural transmission from parents to offspring is important.

CONCLUSION: Heritability for ADHD features in adults is present, but is substantially lower than it is in children.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	e10621
Journal	PLoS ONE
Volume	5
Issue number	5
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0010621
Publication status	Published - 12 May 2010

Access to Document

10.1371/journal.pone.0010621

Cite this

@article{3a945f11fb2043e1ad988875378b99d7,

title = "Genetic epidemiology of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD index) in adults",

abstract = "CONTEXT: In contrast to the large number of studies in children, there is little information on the contribution of genetic factors to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adults.OBJECTIVE: To estimate the heritability of ADHD in adults as assessed by the ADHD index scored from the CAARS (Conners' Adult ADHD Rating Scales).DESIGN: Phenotype data from over 12,000 adults (twins, siblings and parents) registered with the Netherlands Twin Register were analyzed using genetic structural equation modeling.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Heritability estimates for ADHD from the twin-family study.RESULTS: Heritability of ADHD in adults is estimated around 30% in men and women. There is some evidence for assortative mating. All familial transmission is explained by genetic inheritance, there is no support for the hypothesis that cultural transmission from parents to offspring is important.CONCLUSION: Heritability for ADHD features in adults is present, but is substantially lower than it is in children.",

author = "Boomsma, {Dorret I} and Viatcheslav Saviouk and Jouke-Jan Hottenga and Distel, {Marijn A} and {de Moor}, {Marleen H M} and Vink, {Jacqueline M} and Geels, {Lot M} and {van Beek}, {Jenny H D A} and Meike Bartels and {de Geus}, {Eco J C} and Gonneke Willemsen",

year = "2010",

month = may,

day = "12",

doi = "10.1371/journal.pone.0010621",

language = "English",

volume = "5",

pages = "e10621",

journal = "PLoS ONE",

issn = "1932-6203",

publisher = "Public Library of Science",

number = "5",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Genetic epidemiology of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD index) in adults

AU - Boomsma, Dorret I

AU - Saviouk, Viatcheslav

AU - Hottenga, Jouke-Jan

AU - Distel, Marijn A

AU - de Moor, Marleen H M

AU - Vink, Jacqueline M

AU - Geels, Lot M

AU - van Beek, Jenny H D A

AU - Bartels, Meike

AU - de Geus, Eco J C

AU - Willemsen, Gonneke

PY - 2010/5/12

Y1 - 2010/5/12

N2 - CONTEXT: In contrast to the large number of studies in children, there is little information on the contribution of genetic factors to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adults.OBJECTIVE: To estimate the heritability of ADHD in adults as assessed by the ADHD index scored from the CAARS (Conners' Adult ADHD Rating Scales).DESIGN: Phenotype data from over 12,000 adults (twins, siblings and parents) registered with the Netherlands Twin Register were analyzed using genetic structural equation modeling.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Heritability estimates for ADHD from the twin-family study.RESULTS: Heritability of ADHD in adults is estimated around 30% in men and women. There is some evidence for assortative mating. All familial transmission is explained by genetic inheritance, there is no support for the hypothesis that cultural transmission from parents to offspring is important.CONCLUSION: Heritability for ADHD features in adults is present, but is substantially lower than it is in children.

AB - CONTEXT: In contrast to the large number of studies in children, there is little information on the contribution of genetic factors to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adults.OBJECTIVE: To estimate the heritability of ADHD in adults as assessed by the ADHD index scored from the CAARS (Conners' Adult ADHD Rating Scales).DESIGN: Phenotype data from over 12,000 adults (twins, siblings and parents) registered with the Netherlands Twin Register were analyzed using genetic structural equation modeling.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Heritability estimates for ADHD from the twin-family study.RESULTS: Heritability of ADHD in adults is estimated around 30% in men and women. There is some evidence for assortative mating. All familial transmission is explained by genetic inheritance, there is no support for the hypothesis that cultural transmission from parents to offspring is important.CONCLUSION: Heritability for ADHD features in adults is present, but is substantially lower than it is in children.

U2 - 10.1371/journal.pone.0010621

DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0010621

M3 - Article

C2 - 20485550

SN - 1932-6203

VL - 5

SP - e10621

JO - PLoS ONE

JF - PLoS ONE

IS - 5

ER -

Genetic epidemiology of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD index) in adults

Abstract

Access to Document

Fingerprint

Cite this