Lena Weißflog

Full member: March 2008 - February 2011

Dissertation title: Molecular genetics of emotional dysregulation in ADHD.
Abstract: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD; MIM 143465) is the most common behavioral disorder in childhood with a prevalence of 3-6% and with substantial heritability which is likely due to multiple genes of small effect size. Long-term studies demonstrated persistence into adulthood  with lifetime prevalence estimated at approximately 4%. Epidemiological studies suggested high co-morbidity with other psychiatric disorders, lifetime prevalence rates of anxiety disorders in adult ADHD approach 50%. Affective disorders and alcohol/drug dependence also display a substantial prevalence. The co-morbidity with antisocial personality disorders was reported to be increased in several clinical cohorts. The burden of disease has been estimated by accounts of social and economic problems as well as impaired academic achievement and work performance. Family, adoption, and twin studies revealed that ADHD is a highly heritable disorder (h²: 70-80%) with a multifactorial pattern of inheritance.

Principal investigator:

Prof. Dr. Klaus-Peter Lesch

Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie
Füchsleinstraße 15, 97080 Würzburg

https://www.ukw.de/psychiatrie

Current position:

Klinik für Psychiatrie, Psychotherapie und Psychosomatik, Goethe Universität Frankfurt

http://www.psychiatrie.uni-frankfurt.de/mitarbeiter/weissflog/index.html