VALIDITY OF SUBTYPES OF ADHD

本研究的总体目标是使用收敛方法测试ADHD亚型的内部和外部有效性。为了实现这些目标，作为我们正在进行的研究的一部分，我们将对RD， ADHD和对照双胞胎（每组50对MZ和50对DZ）及其兄弟姐妹进行一系列神经心理学和精神病学测量。ADHD亚型的信度和内部效度将通过检查评分者之间的一致性和重测信度以及对个体症状进行因素和聚类分析来测试。这些亚型的诊断和鉴别有效性将通过比较功能损伤和其他临床相关指标的亚型来检验。将采用双胎数据的多元回归分析和分子遗传连锁关联方法检验各亚型之间的病因关系，并采用神经心理学方法检验各亚型之间的认知关系。神经心理学电池的设计是为了进一步测试ADHD的执行缺陷假说，将其与认为ADHD可归因于动机、觉醒调节或反应调节缺陷的竞争性假说进行比较。

The overall goal of the proposed research is to test the internal and external validity of subtypes of ADHD using converging methods. To accomplish these objectives as part of our ongoing study, we will administer a batter of neuropsychological and psychiatric measures to samples of RD, ADHD, and control twin pairs (50 MZ and 50 DZ pairs in each group) and their siblings. The reliability and internal validity of the ADHD subtypes will be tested by examining inter-rater agreement and test-retest reliability and conducting factor and cluster analyses of individual symptoms. Diagnostic and discriminant validity of the subtypes will be tested by comparing subtypes on measures of functional impairment and other clinical correlates. Etiological relations among the subtypes will be tested using multiple regression analyses of twin data and molecular genetic linkage and association methods, and the cognitive relations among the subtypes will be tested with neuropsychological measures. The neuropsychological battery is designed to test further the executive deficit hypotheses of ADHD by pitting it against competing hypotheses that suggest ADHD is attributable to a deficit in motivation, arousal regulation, or response modulation.