[Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in Aymara children].

Background: The assessment of Attentional Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) among ethnic groups may reveal environmental or cultural variables that influence the appearance of this disorder.

Aim: To assess the presence and characteristics of ADHD in two communities of the inland Arica valleys (Azapa and Lluta), where the Aymara population predominates.

Material And Methods: Starting from a screening based on the Conner's test, we evaluated 79 children aged 8 to 13 years.

[DRD4 dopamine receptor alleles in Chilean students of different ethnic origin and its relation with the risk for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder].

Background: Worldwide diversity of alleles of D4 receptor gene (DRD4), linked to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), is mostly the result of length and single nucleotide polymorphisms in a 48-bp tandem repeat (VNTR). Alleles containing from two (2R) to eleven (11R) repeats have been identified. The most common are 4R, 7R and 2R.

[Risk of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in Aymara and Rapa-Nui school children: association with dopaminergic system polymorphisms].

Background: Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common, highly heritable neurobiological disorder of childhood onset, characterized by hyperactivity, impulsiveness or inattentiveness.

Aim: To search for differences in risk for ADHD and its components among Chilean native and mixed populations and to look forpossible associations with dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) and dopamine transporter 1 (DAT1) polymorphisms.

Material And Methods: School teachers were requested to complete the Conners test, which uses DSM-IV criteria, to screen for ADHD risk among Aymara and Rapa-Nui students.