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Phenotypic and measurement influences on heritability estimates in childhood ADHD

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An Erratum to this article was published on 28 April 2010

An Erratum to this article was published on 28 April 2010

Abstract

Twin studies described a strongly heritable component of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents. However, findings varied considerably between studies. In addition, ADHD presents with a high rate of comorbid disorders and associated psychopathology. Therefore, this literature review reports findings from population-based twin studies regarding the influence of subtypes, assessment instruments, rater effects, sex differences, and comorbidity rates on ADHD heritability estimates. In addition, genetic effects on the persistence of ADHD are discussed. By reviewing relevant factors influencing heritability estimates more homogeneous subtypes relevant for molecular genetic studies can be elicited. A systematic search of population-based twin studies in ADHD was performed, using the databases PubMed and PsycInfo. Results of family studies were added in case insufficient or contradictory findings were obtained in twin studies. Heritability estimates were strongly influenced by rater effects and assessment instruments. Inattentive and hyperactive–impulsive symptoms were likely influenced by common as well as specific genetic risk factors. Besides persistent ADHD, ADHD accompanied by symptoms of conduct or antisocial personality disorder might be another strongly genetically determined subtype, however, family environmental risk factors have also been established for this pattern of comorbidity.

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Acknowledgments

Part of this work was supported by grants of the German Research Foundation (ME 1923/5-1, ME 1923/5-3, KFO125). C. Freitag was on the speakers’ bureau for Eli-Lilly and Janssen-Cilag. M. Romanos was on the speakers’ bureau for Janssen-Cilag and Medice. L. Rohde was on the speakers’ bureau and/or acted as consultant for Eli-Lilly, Janssen-Cilag, and Novartis in the last three years. Currently, his only industry related activity is taking part of the advisory board/speakers bureau for Eli Lilly and Novartis (less than U$ 10,000 per year and reflecting less than 5% of his gross income per year). The ADHD and Juvenile Bipolar Disorder Outpatient Programs chaired by him received unrestricted educational and research support from the following pharmaceutical companies in the last three years: Abbott, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli-Lilly, Janssen-Cilag, Novartis, and Shire.

Conflict of interest statement

None of the authors reported any conflicts of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, JW Goethe University, Deutschordenstraße 50, 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

    Christine M. Freitag & Thomas Lempp

  2. Division of Child Psychiatry, Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil

    Luis A. Rohde

  3. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany

    Marcel Romanos

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  1. Christine M. Freitag
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  2. Luis A. Rohde
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  3. Thomas Lempp
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Correspondence to Christine M. Freitag.

Additional information

An erratum to this article can be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00787-010-0108-6

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Freitag, C.M., Rohde, L.A., Lempp, T. et al. Phenotypic and measurement influences on heritability estimates in childhood ADHD. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 19, 311–323 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-010-0097-5

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