Diagnostic validity of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder: From phenomenology to neurobiology (II)

The diagnostic criteria for the attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were defined by the American Psychiatric Association in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth version. ADHD is a neuropsychiatric disorder associated with impairments in everyday life and behavioral dysregulation (i.e. inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity), and it has showed empirical evidence from clinical, pharmacological, and psychometric studies. Nevertheless, the role of neurobiological impairments in the presentation of the symptoms remains unclear. For this paper, the authors reviewed Spanish and English literature that support the neurobiological validity of the disorder, aimed to present evidence associated with its cognitive and behavioral phenotype (e.g. in: neuropsychology, electrophysiology, structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging, neurochemistry and genetics). Additionally, an integrative theoretical clinical and scientific proposal is presented. Finally, the introduction of neurobiological marker as part of the definitive diagnosis is suggested, as a started point for the identification of therapeutic targets.