Anatomic brain abnormalities in monozygotic twins discordant for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Am J Psychiatry. 2003 Sep;160(9):1693-6. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.160.9.1693.

Abstract

Objective: To examine brain-behavior relationships in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the authors obtained magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of monozygotic twins discordant for ADHD.

Method: National recruitment was followed by in-person assessment. MRI scans were measured algorithmically for nine pairs of monozygotic twins discordant for ADHD.

Results: The affected twins had significantly smaller caudate volumes (mean difference=-0.56 ml, CI=-0.92 to -0.21) than their unaffected co-twins.

Conclusions: These results provide further support for striatal models of ADHD pathophysiology.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Twin Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / diagnosis*
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / genetics
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / physiopathology
  • Brain / anatomy & histology*
  • Brain / physiopathology
  • Caudate Nucleus / anatomy & histology
  • Caudate Nucleus / physiopathology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Corpus Striatum / anatomy & histology
  • Corpus Striatum / physiopathology
  • Diseases in Twins / diagnosis*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Models, Biological
  • Twins, Monozygotic / genetics