VICI grant for Sarah Durston (Rudolf Magnus Institute) 

The title of the project is "Mapping ADHD: From behaviour to biology"

ABSTRACT

ADHD is the most common child psychiatric disorder, with at least one affected child in every classroom, and a huge economic impact. Children with ADHD and their families are often stigmatized, as the legitimacy of the diagnosis is called into question. My work and that of others has established beyond doubt that ADHD is a heritable, neurobiological disorder. However, we do not yet understand how biological changes lead to changes in behaviour.
I have shown how neuroimaging can be used to map biological pathways from genes to ADHD. In my VIDI-project, I developed a model that there are three separate neurobiological systems that can lead to ADHD (the systems underlying cognitive control, timing and reward processing). My data support that these systems are separate at the biological level and separable at the cognitive level. In this VICI-proposal, I test this model using state-of-the-art cognitive, neuroimaging and genetic approaches. I address the clinical specificity of each subtype in Part 1. I chart the normal development of these systems in Part 2. These are essential steps to bring this knowledge closer to the clinic, where it can benefit affected individuals and their families.