DNA methylation profiles at birth and child ADHD symptoms

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Optimized Analysis of DNA Methylation and Gene Expression from Small, Anatomically-defined Areas of the Brain
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Optimized Analysis of DNA Methylation and Gene Expression from Small, Anatomically-defined Areas of the Brain

Published on: July 12, 2012

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Nina H van Mil1, Régine P M Steegers-Theunissen2, Marieke I Bouwland-Both3

  • 1The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Dr. Molewaterplein 50, 3015 GE Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Dr. Molewaterplein 50, 3015 GE Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Dr. Molewaterplein 50, 3015 GE Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Journal of Psychiatric Research
|December 3, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Newborn DNA methylation patterns in specific genes are linked to childhood Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms. Lower methylation at birth correlated with higher ADHD symptom scores later in childhood.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Genetics
  • Developmental Psychology

Background:

  • Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent psychiatric disorder with high heritability.
  • Environmental factors in early life also contribute to ADHD development.
  • DNA methylation is a key epigenetic mechanism potentially linking genetic and environmental influences.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between newborn DNA methylation patterns of candidate genes and childhood ADHD symptoms.
  • To explore if DNA methylation mediates the interplay between genetic predisposition and environmental exposures in ADHD.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of DNA methylation levels in cord blood from 426 children in a Dutch population-based cohort.
  • Measurement of methylation in 11 regions across 7 candidate genes.
  • Statistical analysis using linear mixed models to correlate methylation levels with ADHD symptoms at age 6.

Main Results:

  • Overall negative association found between DNA methylation levels and ADHD symptom scores.
  • The association was primarily driven by methylation patterns in the DRD4 and 5-HTT gene regions.
  • Lower DNA methylation at birth was associated with increased ADHD symptoms at age 6.

Conclusions:

  • Newborn DNA methylation of specific genes, particularly DRD4 and 5-HTT, is associated with ADHD symptoms in childhood.
  • These findings suggest a potential epigenetic role for DNA methylation in ADHD etiology.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and confirm these associations.

Keywords:
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorderDNA methylation

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