Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) exon 3 variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) 2-repeat allele.

To investigate the association of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with the 48-base pair (bp) variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) in exon 3 of the dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) gene, we genotyped 240 ADHD patients and their parents from Hong Kong. The 4R allele was most common, followed by 2R. We examined association between the 2R allele (relative to 4R) and ADHD by Transmission Disequilibrium Test (TDT).

Enhancing emotion recognition in young autistic children with or without attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in Hong Kong using a Chinese App version of .

Trial Registration: This study was registered with the German Clinical Trials Register - Deutschen Register Klinischer Studien (DRKS) on 23 December 2018. The Trial Registration Number (TRN) is DRKS00016506.

Lay Abstract: App is an intervention programme with 15 animated episodes that teach emotion recognition skills to autistic children between 4 and 6 years of age.

A network analysis on the relationship between loneliness and schizotypy.

Background: Schizotypy is a multidimensional personality trait related to the heightened risk for the development of schizophrenia spectrum disorders. While it has been suggested that loneliness may be associated with schizotypy in general, whether it relates to the specific schizotypal traits differentially remains unknown. Besides, as loneliness often co-occurs with depression and anxiety, it is important to delineate its relationship with schizotypy in consideration of these co-occurring emotional disturbances.

Risk perception in paranoia and anxiety: Two investigations across clinical and non-clinical populations.

Objectives: It is common, among clinical and non-clinical populations alike, for paranoia and anxiety to co-occur. It has been suggested that anxiety and its related appraisal styles may contribute to development of paranoia. We aimed to evaluate different aspects of risk perception in relation to paranoia and anxiety and to identify specific aspects that may differentiate paranoia from anxiety.

Paranoia and anxiety: A cluster analysis in a non-clinical sample and the relationship with worry processes.

Background: Worry processes are implicated in paranoia and anxiety. However, clinical studies focused on patients with co-occurring paranoia and anxiety. As both paranoia and anxiety are distributed across clinical and non-clinical groups, an investigation on worry processes among non-clinical individuals will allow us to delineate the specific worry mechanisms in paranoia and anxiety respectively.

Family-based association study of DRD4 gene in methylphenidate-responded Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

The 48-basepair (48-bp) variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphism in exon 3 of the dopamine receptor D4 gene (DRD4) is implicated in the etiology of attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In particular, ADHD in European-ancestry population is associated with an increased prevalence of the 7-repeat (7R) allele of the exon 3 VNTR. However, it is intriguing to note that the 7R allele has been found to be of very low prevalence in the Chinese general population.

Diagnostic yield of array CGH in patients with autism spectrum disorder in Hong Kong.

Background: Chromosomal microarray offers superior sensitivity for identification of submicroscopic copy number variants (CNV) and it is advocated to be the first tier genetic testing for patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In this regard, diagnostic yield of array comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) for ASD patients is determined in a cohort of Chinese patients in Hong Kong.

Methods: A combined adult and paediatric cohort of 68 Chinese ASD patients (41 patients in adult group and 27 patients in paediatric group).

Dimensions of Delusions and Attribution Biases along the Continuum of Psychosis.

This study compared delusional dimensions and attribution biases along the continuum of psychosis. Participants completed questionnaires on delusion-like beliefs and attributions. Although patients with first-episode psychosis (N = 70) endorsed fewer delusion-like beliefs than non-clinical individuals with psychotic-like experiences (N = 12), they scored highest on delusional conviction, distress and preoccupation, followed by non-clinical individuals with psychotic-like experiences, and then healthy controls (N = 642).

Clinical utility of the Chinese Strengths and Weaknesses of ADHD-Symptoms and Normal-Behaviors questionnaire (SWAN) when compared with DISC-IV.

Background: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common and impairing child and adolescent psychiatric disorder. Early identification and prompt treatment are essential. Rating scales are commonly used by clinicians and researchers to assess ADHD children.

Children with a regular FP - do they have better health behaviours and psychosocial health?

Background: Adults who receive care from family physicians (FPs) are healthier than those who do not, but not much is known about the health behaviours and psychosocial health of children who have FPs.

Objective: This study aims to test the hypothesis that children who have a regular FP have better health behaviours and psychosocial health than children who do not have a regular FP.

Methods: The health behaviours and psychosocial wellbeing of 7057 children in Hong Kong were measured by the Youth Risk Behaviour Survey and the 'anxious/depressed', 'somatic complaints' and 'aggressive behaviours' domains of the Children Behaviour Checklist (CBCL).

Test-retest reliability of the Chinese version of the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children-Version 4 (DISC-IV).

Background: Despite the huge youth population, there is a lack of psychiatric diagnostic instruments with reported psychometric properties in Chinese. This study reports the development of the Chinese version of DISC-IV and examines its test-retest reliability.

Method: Seventy-eight parents and 79 youths (mean age 13.