Elevated rates of ADHD in mothers of children with comorbid ADHD and epilepsy. (October 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gonzalez-Heydrich, Joseph; Hamoda, Hesham M; Luna, Laura; Rao, Sneha; McClendon, James; Rotella, Peter; Waber, Deborah; Boyer, Katherine; Faraone, Steven V; Whitney, Jane; Guild, Danielle; Biederman, Joseph
• Is Part Of: Neuropsychiatry. Volume 2:Number 5(2012)
• Page Start: 385
• Page End: 391
• Publication Date: 2012-10
• Subjects: Psychology, Pathological -- Periodicals; Mental illness -- Periodicals; Neuropsychiatry -- Periodicals; Mental Disorders -- Periodicals; Nervous System Diseases -- Periodicals; Neuropsychiatry -- Periodicals; Mental illness; Neuropsychiatry; Psychology, Pathological; 616.8
• DOI: 10.2217/npy.12.53
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1758-2008

Abstract

SUMMARY Objectives: To describe the prevalence of ADHD in mothers of children with comorbid ADHD and epilepsy (ADHD+E) and to compare ADHD symptoms in mothers with (Fam + ) and without (Fam - ) additional relative(s) with epilepsy.Patients & methods: Mothers (n = 16) of children with ADHD+E were assessed by the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School Age Children ADHD module and the ADHD Rating Scale IV. Information was collected on the presence (Fam + ) or absence (Fam - ) of first- or second-degree relatives with epilepsy in the sample.Results: A total of 50% of mothers met the DSM-IV criteria for ADHD. ADHD was more prevalent in Fam + mothers (80%) compared with Fam - mothers (36%; p = 0.14). Fam + mothers had more current hyperactivity symptoms than Fam - mothers (p = 0.002), higher current ADHD severity (p = 0.02) and higher ADHD Rating Scale IV hyperactivity scores (p = 0.008).Conclusion: The prevalence of ADHD in mothers of children with ADHD+E is elevated in this pilot study, suggesting that ADHD symptoms in children with epilepsy and their mothers reflects shared familial genetic or environmental risks, potentially resulting in a higher prevalence of both disorders among family members. This is a pilot study and larger controlled studies are warranted.