ADHD genes also associated with autism

Washington, Aug 11 (ANI): A new study has identified more genes in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and found that there is an overlap between some of these genes and those found in other neuropsychiatric conditions such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

The research led by the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and the University of Toronto used microarrays (gene-chip technology) to study the DNA of 248 unrelated patients with ADHD.

They specifically searched for copy number variants (CNVs), which are insertions or deletions affecting the genes.

In three of 173 children for whom the DNA of both parents was available, they found spontaneous CNVs, which occur when the parents are not affected and mutations are new to the child.

Rare CNVs that were inherited from affected parents were found in 19 of 248 patients.

Within the group of inherited CNVs, the researchers found some of the genes that had previously been identified in other neuropsychiatric conditions including ASD.

To explore this overlap, they tested a different group for CNVs. They found that nine of the 349 children in the study, all of whom had previously been diagnosed with ASD, carried CNVs that are related to ADHD and other disorders.

The findings suggest that some CNVs, which play a causal role in ADHD, demonstrate common susceptibility genes in ADHD, ASD and other neuropsychiatric disorders.

"For the first time, we've tested these genetic alterations in ADHD and have a pretty good handle on a couple of decent ADHD candidate genes," said Dr. Russell Schachar, Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto .

The study has been published in the August 10 advance online edition of Science Translational Medicine. (ANI)