Pharmacogenomics of Stimulant Treatment Response

Background: ADHD is a common neurodevelopmental disorder affecting children and adolescents, with psychostimulants, specifically slow-release methylphenidate (e.g., Biphentin®, Concerta®), being a first-line treatment option. However, the response to medications varies significantly among individuals, with some experiencing limited benefits or intolerable side effects. Unlike other areas of psychiatry, ADHD pharmacotherapy lacks genetic markers to guide treatment decisions, resulting in delayed symptom relief and diminished quality of life for patients. Objectives: 1. Identifying genomic profiles associated with psychostimulant treatment response and tolerability in children and adolescents with ADHD. 2. Establishing a research platform for the discovery of new genetic and non-genetic markers of drug treatment outcomes relevant to mental health care in children.