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Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder: review of genetic association studies
Esti Galili-Weisstub1, Ronnen H Segman
1Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.
Insights
Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a heritable neurodevelopmental disorder. Research focuses on genetic associations, particularly dopaminergic genes, to understand ADHD pathophysiology and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent childhood neurodevelopmental disorder with significant public health implications.
- ADHD impairs academic and social functioning, leading to increased risks of depression, conduct disorder, and substance abuse.
- While the biological basis of ADHD remains unclear, it exhibits substantial heritability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the rationale, methodology, and findings of genetic association studies in ADHD.
- To explore the role of candidate genes, particularly dopaminergic genes, in ADHD susceptibility.
- To outline future research directions for identifying ADHD-related genes and understanding therapeutic mechanisms.
Main Methods:
- Review of candidate gene association studies in ADHD research.
- Focus on genetic loci contributing to ADHD susceptibility.
- Analysis of findings related to dopaminergic and other neurotransmitter systems.
Main Results:
- Candidate gene association studies have identified replicated findings for genetic loci linked to ADHD.
- Studies have primarily focused on dopaminergic genes due to the efficacy of stimulant medications.
- Exploratory research suggests potential roles for genes in other neurotransmitter systems.
Conclusions:
- Identifying specific genes for ADHD susceptibility is crucial for understanding its pathophysiology.
- Genetic findings will advance the understanding of therapeutic drug action and individual treatment responses.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the complex genetic architecture of ADHD.
Abstract:
Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common idiopathic childhood neurodevelopmental disorder, exacting a significant clinical and public health toll. It impairs schooling and social adaptation, resulting in high rates of depression, conduct disorder, school dropouts, and substance abuse, and necessitating exposure of many children to prolonged courses of stimulant psychotropic medication. Although the biological basis of ADHD is unknown, it has been shown to possess considerable heritability. Candidate gene association studies proved to be a productive strategy leading to replicated association findings of genetic loci contributing to susceptibility to ADHD. Based on the mechanism of action of stimulant drugs effective in the alleviation of ADHD symptoms, current association studies have focused mainly on dopaminergic genes. Promising exploratory findings have also been reported for genes affecting other neurotransmitter systems. The current article reviews the rationale, methodology, and main findings in the field, and outlines future directions. Locating the actual genes mediating ADHD susceptibility will have far reaching implications for understanding the pathophysiology of ADHD as well as for understanding mechanisms of therapeutic drug action and genetic determinants of response.