Research Highlights
- Subject Category:
Published online: 30 January 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.21
Behavioural disorder: In search of hyperactive genes
Wei Zeng
Abstract
Scientists have identified susceptibility genes for attention deficit hyperactive disorder in the Chinese Han population
Original article citation
et al. A high-density single-nucleotide polymorphism screen of 23 candidate genes in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: Suggesting multiple susceptibility genes among Chinese Han population. Mol. Psychiatry doi: 10.1038/sj.mp.4002139 (2008).Introduction
Attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) is a common, hereditary behavioural condition — typically diagnosed in children who have tendencies towards inattention and hyperactivity. At present there is no cure. Yufeng Wang at Peking University in Beijing and co-workers1 have screened a sample of the Chinese Han population and found genetic variations, known as single-nucleotide polymorphisms, which account for ADHD. The findings will help scientists tailor genetic drugs for ADHD therapy.
The disorder is thought to be caused by an imbalance in the monoamine neurotransmitter system. The researchers therefore only focused on 23 genes that have been known to regulate monoamine neurotransmitters — including genes coding for enzymes, and receptors and transporters of dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin — or neurotransmitter release.
They screened 245 single-nucleotide polymorphisms of candidate genes in 182 ADHD children and 184 healthy controls of Chinese Han ethnicity. Of the 23 candidate genes, the researchers identified 10 genes as potential ADHD susceptibility genes. In agreement with previous findings, MAOA, a gene coding for monoamine oxidase, was shown to be highly associated with ADHD. More importantly, it was shown for the first time that SYT1, a gene for synaptic vesicle release, is also probably associated with ADHD.
Further investigation of a larger sample size is needed to validate the susceptibility of these genes.
The authors of this work are from:
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China; Department of Illumina Operations and Technical Services, Eastwin Life Sciences, Beijing, China; Genetics Research Program and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA.
Reference
- Guan, L.et al. A high-density single-nucleotide polymorphism screen of 23 candidate genes in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: Suggesting multiple susceptibility genes among Chinese Han population. Mol. Psychiatry doi: 10.1038/sj.mp.4002139 (2008). | Article |
