An overview on neurobiology and therapeutics of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Abstract

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent psychiatric condition characterized by developmentally inappropriate symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity/impulsivity, which leads to impairments in the social, academic, and professional contexts. ADHD diagnosis relies solely on clinical assessment based on symptom evaluation and is sometimes challenging due to the substantial heterogeneity of the disorder in terms of clinical and pathophysiological aspects. Despite the difficulties imposed by the high complexity of ADHD etiology, the growing body of research and technological advances provide good perspectives for understanding the neurobiology of the disorder. Such knowledge is essential to refining diagnosis and identifying new therapeutic options to optimize treatment outcomes and associated impairments, leading to improvements in all domains of patient care. This review is intended to be an updated outline that addresses the etiological and neurobiological aspects of ADHD and its treatment, considering the impact of the "omics" era on disentangling the multifactorial architecture of ADHD.

Fig. 1

Multifactorial complexity of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). ADHD presents substantial heritability in children, adolescents, and adults (the polled average is nearly 80%). Genetic and environmental factors modulate brain features (e.g., regional volumes, cortical thickness, connectivity, etc.) that are potentially in the causal pathway of the disorder