Neurobiology of ADHD

Past research into ADHD typically focused on its PET, fMRI, and EEG correlates, which in turn gave rise to a variety of theoretical models of the brain mechanisms involved in ADHD. Now, however, a new era of research and treatment is underway, based on the recent discovery of so-called endophenotypes – heritable quantitative traits that index an individual’s liability to develop a disease and serve as biomarkers. The ADHD endophenotypes are associated with dysfunctioning of brain systems and are more directly related to etiological factors than previous behavior-based diagnostic criteria.

The emphasis in this book is on the electrophysiological endophenotypes in ADHD, namely parameters of quantitative EEG and event-related potentials, neuropsychology, and behavior. Among the topics addressed are dysfunctions of attentional networks and the executive system, behavioral indexes of ADHD, metabolic dysfunction, EEG spectral indexes, ERP indexes, and neurotherapy. The book is the result of 30 years of experience in basic research at the Institute of the Human Brain of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Brain and Trauma Foundation, Chur, Switzerland. This research has enabled the development of an effective methodology for the assessment of brain functions and dysfunctions, within the framework of a large EU research project.