From Early Risk via Cognitive Endophenotypes to ADHD in Adolescence

• In Event: 3-202 - What variation in executive functioning tells us about ADHD: Insights from twin and longitudinal studies

Integrative Statement

We examined the interplay between familial risk and enriched home environment and the intermediate role of cognitive endophenotypes in the development of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Participants were 99 children and their parents (M age = 7.34 years, SD = 0.23), who have been followed longitudinally since birth; 62 participants were further followed until adolescence (M age =13.5 years, SD = 0.95). We found that differential susceptibility to home environment in early childhood predicted the cognitive endophenotypes of ADHD at elementary-school age (executive function deficits and increased intrasubject variability). Specifically, we found that in a less than adequate home environment, those at high familial risk showed poor cognitive function (i.e., low executive functions and high intrasubject variability) in elementary school but under a supportive environment showed high cognitive function (i.e., high executive functions and low intrasubject variability), outperforming their peers at low familial risk. Moreover, results demonstrated a developmental pathway from early risk via this cognitive functioning up to the manifestation of ADHD in adolescence, thus validating and strengthening the role of endophenotypes in the development of ADHD.

Authors

• Tzlil Einziger, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
  Presenting Author

• Yael Zilberman-Hayun, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
  Non-Presenting Author

• Naama Atzaba-Poria, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
  Non-Presenting Author

• Judith Auerbach, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
  Non-Presenting Author

• Andrea Berger, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience
  Non-Presenting Author