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Further evidence of the involvement of alpha-2A-adrenergic receptor gene (ADRA2A) in inattentive dimensional scores of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Molecular Psychiatry volume 11, pages 8–10 (2006)Cite this article

The involvement of alpha-2A-adrenergic receptors in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been early suggested by Arnsten et al.,1 who demonstrated that noradrenergic inputs from locus coeruleus to prefrontal cortex could improve cognitive function, through α2 receptors present in dopamine-containing neurons. Pharmacological evidences showing that clonidine and guanfacine, two α2-adrenergic agonists relatively selective for α2A subtype, are effective in treating ADHD symptoms2 further suggest that this subtype of adrenergic receptor can be implicated in ADHD pathophysiology.

A putative role for alpha-2A-adrenergic receptor gene (ADRA2A) in ADHD has been initially investigated by Comings et al.,3 who detected an association of highest ADHD scores, particularly inattentive scores, with the homozygosity for the G allele. This was defined by the presence of an MspI restriction site at position –1291, created by a C>G single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (rs 1800544). This association, however, has not been observed through the Transmission Disequilibrium Test (TDT) in a subsequent report.4

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Morphological Sciences, Federal School of Medical Sciences of Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil

    T Roman

  2. Department of Psychiatry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil

    G V Polanczyk, C Zeni & L A Rohde

  3. Department of Genetics, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil

    J P Genro & M H Hutz

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Roman, T., Polanczyk, G., Zeni, C. et al. Further evidence of the involvement of alpha-2A-adrenergic receptor gene (ADRA2A) in inattentive dimensional scores of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Mol Psychiatry 11, 8–10 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.mp.4001743

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