Association Between the Genetic Risk for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Cognitive Function in Older
Douglas Teixeira Leffa1, Yingjin Zhang2, Yueting Wang2
1Department of Psychiatry (DTL, EGT, EJ, BB, PCLF, TKK, TAP), University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA.
Summary
Genetic liability for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is linked to poorer visuospatial function in older adults. Educational attainment may buffer effects on attention and language, but longitudinal cognitive decline was not associated with ADHD genetic risk.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Gerontology
Background:
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is linked to increased dementia risk.
- Polygenic risk scores for ADHD (ADHD-PRS) indicate genetic liability and have been associated with cognitive decline.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between ADHD-PRS and cognitive function in a population-based cohort of older adults.
- To test if plasma biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders (ADRD) moderate these associations.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from 1,468 dementia-free participants in the MYHAT study.
- Calculation of ADHD-PRS and assessment of cognitive function across five domains.
- Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses using regression and mixed-effects models, adjusting for covariates.
Main Results:
- Higher ADHD-PRS was associated with lower visuospatial function cross-sectionally.
- Education moderated associations with attention and language, with lower performance in those with ≤ high school education.
- No significant associations were found between ADHD-PRS and plasma biomarkers, nor did biomarkers modify cognitive associations.
Conclusions:
- ADHD genetic liability is relevant to cognitive performance in late life, particularly visuospatial function.
- Educational attainment may buffer the impact of ADHD genetic liability on attention and language.
- Longitudinal cognitive trajectories were not significantly associated with ADHD-PRS in this cohort.
Keywords:
ADHDblood-based biomarkerscognitive functionolder adultspolygenic risk scorespopulation-based cohortMore Related Videos
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