Future Research for ADHD

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, as we approach the year 2015, nearly 6 million children have been diagnosed with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (2014).  Psychiatrists, doctors and scientists have considered several different aspects of the disorder and through case studies, medical research and practical application, they have made some clear progression.  However, the work is far from over. 

Since there have been solid reports for considerable genetic effects on ADHD in both quantitative and molecular genetic research (Nelson & Israel, 2009), it is imperative that we center our future research on a Genetic Database. A world-wide dominance of nearly five percent in cases of ADHD, it has grown into one of the most common disorders in psychiatry today (Zhang, Chang, Li, Zhang, Du, Ott, & Wang, 2011). This is a clear indication that multiple genes have mutually contributed to the growth and expansion of this intricate disease. Recent case studies designed to explore genetic predisposition of ADHD have increased. There is an expanding need to not only study these cases separately, but provide a comprehensive database for in-depth genetic study. There has been a recent attempt to address the complexity of ADHD through a developed ADHDgene database.  However, this data has not been conclusive in analyzing specific pathway data or gene mapping (Zhang, Chang, Li, Zhang, Du, Ott, & Wang, 2011).

Current research from this database exhibited signs of both common and rare genetic variations appearing relevant to ADHD and the specified, index-shared biological pathways (Stergiokouli, 2012). This first database provides a panoramic view of current studies for this disorder.  ADHDgene covers a large span of data.  However, more integrations from chromosomal (structure in pairs of cells) research and microsatellites (simple sequence repeats), will fulfill research demands pave the way for proper treatment and early detection to be identified.  This can all be obtained by providing powerful browser research tools and creating a flexible platform for the genetic study of ADHD.  Coinciding with this database, researchers hope to begin genetic testing. 

Following is a video that describes some of the recent genetic links found. 

With the increasing numbers of genetic ADHD studies, and development of new technologies, it is the hope of researches that continued efforts will help “unveil the gentic basis of ADHD and contribute to global mental health” (Zhang, Chang, Li, Zhang, Du, Ott, & Wang, 2011).

References

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). (2014, May 14). Retrieved November 1, 2014, from http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/adhd.htm 

Nelson, R., & Israel, A. (2009). Abnormal child and adolescent psychology (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson Prentice Hall.

Stergiakouli, E. (2012). Investigating the Contribution of Common Genetic Variants to the Risk and Pathogenesis of ADHD. American Journal of Psychiatry, 186-186. Retrieved November 1, 2014.

Stergiakouli r, E., & Thapa, A. (2010). Fitting the pieces together: Current research on the genetic basis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Neuropsychiatr Disease Treatment, 6, 551-560. Retrieved October 17, 2014. 

Tenplay.com.au. [ten]. (2010, September 30). ADHD Gene Link [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEng0VhOp88 

Zhang, L., Chang, S., Li, Z., Zhang1, 1., Du, Y., Ott, J., & Wang, J. (2011). ADHDgene: A genetic database for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Nucleic Acids Research, 40, D1003–D1009-D1003–D1009. Retrieved October 13, 2014.