Risk factors and genetic bases: the case of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Fernanda Martinhago; Nicolás José Lavagnino; Guillermo Folguera; Sandra Caponi

doi:10.18294/sc.2019.1952

Risk factors and genetic bases: the case of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Fernanda Martinhago PhD in Human Sciences. PhD in Anthropology and Communication. Postdoctoral Researcher, Pós-Graduação Interdisciplinar em Ciências Humanas Program, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. Becaria, Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior, Programa Nacional de Pós-Doutorado; Florianópolis, Brazil. , Nicolás José Lavagnino PhD in Biology. Assistant Researcher, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Buenos Aires, Argentina. , Guillermo Folguera Undergraduate Degree in Biology. Undergraduate Degree in Philosophy. PhD in Biology. Research Fellow, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Professor, Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, Universidad de Buenos Aires. Buenos Aires, Argentina. , Sandra Caponi PhD in Philosophy. Full Professor, Departamento de Sociologia e Ciência Política, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. Becaria Senior, Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior. Florianópolis, Brazil.

Received: 29 June 2018, Accepted: 21 September 2018, Published: 22 March 2019

https://doi.org/10.18294/sc.2019.1952 | PMID: 31664338

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Abstract

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is considered to be the most frequent mental disorder in childhood. Although its diagnosis in the most utilized manual of psychiatry in the world today – the Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-5) – is based on behaviors of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity, numerous attempts to describe the biological bases of the disorder can be found, for the purposes of diagnosis and also as risk markers. In this paper, we will critically analyze the validity of studies associated with the search for genetic markers of ADHD. First, a characterization of ADHD by the DSM-5 manual is presented. Subsequently, the link between ADHD and risk factors and genetic markers is developed. Finally, some conclusions are presented which highlight simplifications and omissions that could have significant consequences.

Keywords: Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Risk Factors, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Genetics; Genomics

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