Although the validity of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as medical
disorder has been widely questioned in the media, the past two decades have produced
a wealth of data supporting the idea that ADHD, which affects 8–12% of children worldwide
(
Faraone et al 2003
) and 3 to 5% of adults (
Faraone and Biederma 2005
), is a highly heritable condition (
Faraone et al 2005
) with documented brain abnormalities in both children and adults (
Faraone 2004
). Although these data meet standard criteria for asserting the validity of ADHD as
a medical disorder (
Faraone 2005
), they have not completely described the etiology and pathophysiology of the disorder.
Fortunately, as the current issue of Biological Psychiatry shows, new research in ADHD is mapping out details of known pathophysiologic pathways
and pointing to new directions for research.To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
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© 2006 Society of Biological Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
