INTRODUCTION

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is an area of intensive basic science and clinical research worldwide. The ultimate objective of the basic science endeavour is to better understand the nature of ADHD in order to stimulate therapeutic innovation. The objective of clinical research is to ground diagnosis and treatment on best current evidence. This major international conference has been called to encourage the exchange of ideas and data to facilitate collaboration between basic scientists and clinicians working in the field of ADHD - working together we can improve the care of patients and their families. Hence, leading international experts from laboratory and clinic have been invited to reflect on the implications of basic science for clinical practice and vice versa.

An important theme of the conference is how findings from aetiological and pathophysiological research can be translated so that they can inform clinical practice. Equally crucial for the field is how research findings relating to best clinical practice become implemented in clinical guidelines. Inspired by these issues, members of the European Network for Hyperkinetic Disorders (Eunethydis) have developedGuidelines and seek to show how such Guidelines are based on evidence and can be implemented in practice, while others have been involved in the proceedings of the DSM V Committee, which has also embraced thecriterion of an evidence base before making changes or additions to current clinical taxonomy.

Exciting new developments presented at the conference will focus on the role of genetic and environmental factors, recent developments in the neuroscience of ADHD based on cutting edge imaging research andthe way that science is informing new approaches to diagnosis and treatment. New findings on the clinical relationship of ADHD with Conduct Disorder, emotional disorders and learning disabilities will be presented.

Eunethydis has always encouraged new research from young scientists and clinicians. The conference will have two sessions for this purpose.

It is hoped that this conference will spur on the integration of fundamental and clinical research.

CONFERENCE SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE

Prof. Joseph Sergeant, Eunethydis and Scientific Committee Chairman / The Netherlands

Prof. Tobias Banaschewski / Germany

Dr. David Coghill / UK

Prof. Edmund Sonuga-Barke / UK / Belgium

Prof. Eric Taylor / UK

Prof. Alessandro Zuddas / Italy