OBJECTIVE: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common childhood-onset disorder with a significant impact on public health. Although a genetic contribution to risk is evident, predisposing genetic determinants remain largely unknown despite extensive research. So far, the most promising candidate genes have been those involved in dopamine and serotonin pathways. This study tests a series of allelic variants within such candidate genes to determine their potential influence on ADHD susceptibility. METHOD: We used a population sample ascertained from a birth cohort of a subpopulation of Finland, characterized by founder effect and isolation, thus minimizing genetic heterogeneity. The subjects were systematically ascertained using DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for ADHD from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986 of more than 9,000 individuals, resulting in the study sample of 188 ADHD cases and 166 controls. We genotyped markers in 13 candidate genes, including critical components of dopamine and serotonin pathways. RESULTS: We report evidence for association of ADHD with allelic variants of the dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH) and dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) genes. CONCLUSIONS: Our study supports the involvement of the dopamine pathway in the etiology of ADHD; specifically the genes DBH and DRD2 deserve more attention in further studies.
OBJECTIVE:Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common childhood-onset disorder with a significant impact on public health. Although a genetic contribution to risk is evident, predisposing genetic determinants remain largely unknown despite extensive research. So far, the most promising candidate genes have been those involved in dopamine and serotonin pathways. This study tests a series of allelic variants within such candidate genes to determine their potential influence on ADHD susceptibility. METHOD: We used a population sample ascertained from a birth cohort of a subpopulation of Finland, characterized by founder effect and isolation, thus minimizing genetic heterogeneity. The subjects were systematically ascertained using DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for ADHD from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986 of more than 9,000 individuals, resulting in the study sample of 188 ADHD cases and 166 controls. We genotyped markers in 13 candidate genes, including critical components of dopamine and serotonin pathways. RESULTS: We report evidence for association of ADHD with allelic variants of the dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH) and dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) genes. CONCLUSIONS: Our study supports the involvement of the dopamine pathway in the etiology of ADHD; specifically the genes DBH and DRD2 deserve more attention in further studies.
Authors: Viviana A Peskin; Anna Ordóñez; R Scott Mackin; Kevin Delucchi; Silvia Monge; James J McGough; Denise A Chavira; Monica Berrocal; Erika Cheung; Eduardo Fournier; Judith A Badner; Luis Diego Herrera; Carol A Mathews Journal: Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet Date: 2015-03-31 Impact factor: 3.568
Authors: A Karmakar; S Maitra; D Verma; B Chakraborti; R Goswami; P Ghosh; S Sinha; K P Mohanakumar; R Usha; K Mukhopadhyay Journal: Neurochem Res Date: 2014-03-21 Impact factor: 3.996
Authors: Jukka Savolainen; W Alex Mason; Jonathan D Bolen; Mary B Chmelka; Tuula Hurtig; Hanna Ebeling; Tanja Nordström; Anja Taanila Journal: Crim Behav Ment Health Date: 2014-09-24
Authors: Marc A Mergy; Raajaram Gowrishankar; Gwynne L Davis; Tammy N Jessen; Jane Wright; Gregg D Stanwood; Maureen K Hahn; Randy D Blakely Journal: Neurochem Int Date: 2013-12-08 Impact factor: 3.921
Authors: Kenneth Blum; Thomas J H Chen; B William Downs; Abdalla Bowirrat; Roger L Waite; Eric R Braverman; Margaret Madigan; Marlene Oscar-Berman; Nicholas DiNubile; Eric Stice; John Giordano; Siobhan Morse; Mark Gold Journal: Postgrad Med Date: 2009-11 Impact factor: 3.840