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Association of the 480 bp DAT1 allele with methylphenidate response in a sample of Irish children with ADHD
Author(s) -
Kirley Aiveen,
Lowe Naomi,
Hawi Ziarih,
Mullins Celine,
Daly Grainne,
Waldman Irwin,
McCarron Mary,
O'Donnell Deirdre,
Fitzgerald Michael,
Gill Michael
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
american journal of medical genetics part b: neuropsychiatric genetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.393
H-Index - 126
eISSN - 1552-485X
pISSN - 1552-4841
DOI - 10.1002/ajmg.b.20071
Subject(s) - methylphenidate , dopamine transporter , allele , attention deficit hyperactivity disorder , polymorphism (computer science) , association (psychology) , allele frequency , psychology , medicine , genetics , psychiatry , gene , clinical psychology , transporter , biology , psychotherapist
Abstract Several studies have implicated the dopamine transporter gene ( DAT1 ) as conferring susceptibility to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), in particular, a VNTR situated at the 3′ end of the gene. In addition, the 10‐repeat VNTR allele associated with ADHD has been reported to be associated with an over‐active transporter protein (DAT). Thus children possessing this variant might be particularly responsive to methylphenidate, a drug known to act by blocking DAT. We have examined this hypothesis and now report an association between the 10‐repeat VNTR DAT1 polymorphism and retrospectively rated methylphenidate response in a sample of 119 Irish children with ADHD (χ 2 = 7.918, df = 1, P = 0.005). Our findings suggest a role for the 10‐repeat DAT1 risk allele in medication response and may help to predict positive clinical outcome in ADHD. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.