Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder children with a 7-repeat allele of the dopamine receptor D4 gene have extreme behavior but normal performance on critical neuropsychological tests of attention

Citation
J. Swanson et al., Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder children with a 7-repeat allele of the dopamine receptor D4 gene have extreme behavior but normal performance on critical neuropsychological tests of attention, P NAS US, 97(9), 2000, pp. 4754-4759
Citations number
60
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Multidisciplinary
Journal title
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
ISSN journal
0027-8424 → ACNP
Volume
97
Issue
9
Year of publication
2000
Pages
4754 - 4759
Database
ISI
SICI code
0027-8424(20000425)97:9<4754:ADDCWA>2.0.ZU;2-#
Abstract
An association of the dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) gene located on chromosom e 11p15.5 and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been demo nstrated and replicated by multiple investigators. A specific allele [the 7 -repeat of a 48-bp variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) in exon 3] has been proposed as an etiological factor in attentional deficits manifested i n some children diagnosed with this disorder. In the current study, we eval uated ADHD subgroups defined by the presence or absence of the 7-repeat all ele of the DRD4 gene, using neuropsychological tests with reaction time mea sures designed to probe attentional networks with neuroanatomical foci in D 4-rich brain regions. Despite the same severity of symptoms on parent and t eacher ratings for the ADHD subgroups, the average reaction times of the 7- present subgroup showed normal speed and variability of response whereas th e average reaction times of the 7-absent subgroup showed the expected abnor malities (slow and variable responses). This was opposite the primary predi ction of the study. The 7-present subgroup seemed to be free of some of the neuropsychological abnormalities thought to characterize ADHD.