Quantitative and molecular genetics of ADHD
Philip Asherson1, Hugh Gurling
1MRC Social Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London, London, UK, philip.asherson@kcl.ac.uk.
Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences
|October 13, 2011
Summary
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is highly heritable, with genetic factors influencing symptoms across the lifespan. Research identifies dopamine receptor genes and rare copy number variants as key genetic contributors to ADHD risk.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder with a significant heritable component.
- Genetic factors are known to play a substantial role in ADHD etiology, influencing both inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms.
- ADHD shares genetic risk factors with other common clinical syndromes and traits, indicating overlapping genetic architectures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of the genetic factors contributing to Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
- To explore specific genetic findings, including neurotransmitter involvement and recent genome-wide association studies.
- To highlight the role of rare copy number variants in ADHD and suggest future research directions.
Main Methods:
- Review of quantitative genetic studies (family, twin, adoption) to assess heritability and genetic influences.
- Analysis of genetic association studies, focusing on candidate genes (e.g., dopamine receptors) and genome-wide association studies (GWAS).
- Examination of data on copy number variants (CNVs) associated with ADHD, schizophrenia, and autism.
Main Results:
- Genetic risk for ADHD is continuously distributed and influenced by both shared and unique genetic factors for inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity.
- Consistent evidence implicates monoamine neurotransmitter systems, particularly dopamine receptor genes (DRD4, DRD5).
- Recent GWAS identified potential gene associations in cell division, adhesion, migration, and plasticity, though not yet genome-wide significant. Rare CNVs are also implicated.
Conclusions:
- ADHD has a strong genetic basis with a similar genetic architecture across the lifespan.
- Dopamine pathways are consistently implicated, and emerging research points to genes involved in neuronal development and rare CNVs.
- Future research should integrate genetic data to understand mediating cognitive/neuronal processes and gene-environment interactions.
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