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Circulating MicroRNAs in Cord Blood to Predict Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Diagnosis
Lene B Dypås1, Ann-Karin Olsen2, Kristine B Gützkow3
1Department of Chemical Toxicology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway; Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
Biological Psychiatry
|October 19, 2025
Summary
Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) in blood plasma at birth can predict attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) risk. A 19-miRNA model showed high accuracy, suggesting potential for early ADHD biomarker development.
Area of Science:
- Neurodevelopmental disorders
- Biomarker discovery
- Genetics and epigenetics
Background:
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder with significant knowledge gaps in its etiology.
- Accurate diagnosis of ADHD can be challenging, highlighting the need for reliable biomarkers.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) in blood plasma are being investigated as potential early diagnostic markers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between circulating miRNAs at birth and ADHD diagnosis.
- To develop a predictive model for ADHD risk based on miRNA expression profiles.
- To explore the potential of miRNAs as early biomarkers for ADHD.
Main Methods:
- A study population of children diagnosed with ADHD and control children, along with their parents, was recruited from the Norwegian Mother, Father, and Child Cohort Study (MoBa).
- Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to measure the expression levels of 51 selected miRNAs in cord blood plasma at birth and parental plasma during pregnancy.
- Statistical analyses were performed to test the association of miRNA levels with ADHD diagnosis and symptom scores, and a prediction model was constructed.
Main Results:
- Seven miRNAs were found to be differentially expressed at birth in children with ADHD compared to controls (FDR < .05).
- Thirty-one miRNAs showed a significant linear relationship with parent-rated ADHD symptom scores at age 8.
- A 19-miRNA prediction model demonstrated high predictive performance (AUC = 0.959, accuracy = 0.893) and identified relevant biological pathways including dopaminergic synapse and axon guidance.
- Parental miRNA expression levels were also significantly associated with children's ADHD diagnoses and symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Circulating miRNA levels in blood plasma at birth can serve as predictive markers for an increased risk of ADHD diagnosis.
- The identified 19-miRNA set holds promise for future development into a diagnostic biomarker panel for ADHD.
- These findings contribute to understanding the etiology of ADHD and offer a potential avenue for early detection.
