Abstract
Attention - deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is neurobehavioral disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity and impaired reward system function, which is the most common psychiatric illness in child psychiatry with an estimated range of 5% to 10%. Several recent studies have indicated possible interactions between genetic, metabolic, environmental, and behavioral factors may be associated with the pathogenesis of ADHD. However, validation of the diagnosis is not well established. The high overlap between symptoms in mania and ADHD as well as the high comorbidity rates suggest that there are not only similarities at the symptom level but also common underlying pathophysiological processes.
Recent studies support the concept that the sensation seeking and hyperactivity in both mania and ADHD can be interpreted as an autoregulatory reaction to an unstable regulation of vigilance (in the sense of “brain arousal” ). In addition, evidence is increasing that vigilance stabilizing drugs such as psychostimulants might be a treatment option not only in ADHD but also in mania. In the symposium, relationships between mania within bipolar disorder and ADHD in order to identify biomarkers of ADHD was discussed at the epidemiological, clinical, genetic, pathophysiological and therapeutic level.
