Gene

Nicotine

Ecology

Neuroscience

Biology

Epigenetics

Psychiatry

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Genetic model

Dopamine

Neurodevelopmental disorder

Genetic predisposition

Dopaminergic

Dopamine transporter

Genetics

Psychology

Rodent

Pharmacology

Methylphenidate

Medicine

Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a polygenic neurodevelopmental disorder that affects 8–12 % of children and >4 % of adults. Environmental factors are believed to interact with genetic predispositions to increase susceptibility to ADHD. No existing rodent model captures all aspects of ADHD, but several show promise. The main genetic models are the spontaneous hypertensive rat, dopamine transporter knock-out (KO) mice, dopamine receptor subtype KO mice, Snap-25 KO mice, guanylyl cyclase-c KO mice, and latrophilin-3 KO mice and rats. Environmental factors thought to contribute to ADHD include ethanol, nicotine, PCBs, lead (Pb), ionizing irradiation, 6-hydroxydopamine, neonatal hypoxia, some pesticides, and organic pollutants. Model validation criteria are outlined, and current genetic models evaluated against these criteria. Future research should explore induced multiple gene KOs given that ADHD is polygenic and epigenetic contributions. Furthermore, genetic models should be combined with environmental agents to test for interactions.

Review of rodent models of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder